Short story dispensers to appear around Japan to encourage people to read books

TOKYO - Short-story dispensers set to be installed at train stations, tourist information centres, event venues and the like will make their debut in Japan as early as this summer.

At the push of a button, short stories that can be read in a few minutes will be printed out on a long receipt-like strip of paper. Although the machines are called “dispensers”, the content is delivered free of charge.

This service, to be launched as part of an initiative to revitalise Japan’s characters and print culture, will be implemented by Tohan Corp, a leading book wholesaler, with the support of the Cultural Affairs Agency.

The aim is to get people who usually do not read books to discover the joy of reading them.

Launched by a French company, the machines, called short-story dispensers, have been installed at train stations, airports, hospitals and companies in Europe, the United States and elsewhere.

In Japan, several dispensers are scheduled to be installed in various locations, starting in or around August. The development of Japan-version dispensers is also being considered.

It is envisaged that the stories printed out will be the beginning or part of a story that takes place in the location where the dispenser is installed. Standing in the spot where a memorable scene was created will enable people to feel close to the world of the story.

Another idea under consideration is an excerpt from a fine piece of literature written by a great author who has some connection with the locations.

The number of stories will be increased one by one, with poems, such as the Japanese haiku, and even newly published works to be added to the list in future.

Multiple stories will be made available at each dispenser. As the content printed out will be chosen at