Japan vending machines to automatically offer free food if earthquake hits

Machines in coastal city of Ako, are located in an area that experts say is vulnerable to a future powerful earthquake

Japan has extended its natural disaster preparations to vending machines, which will offer free food and drink in the event of a major earthquake or typhoon.

Two machines have been installed in the western coastal city of Ako, located in a region that seismologists say is vulnerable to a powerful earthquake that is expected to hit the country's central and south-west pacific coast in the next few decades.