Tokyo Vending Machines Shut Down For President Obama's Visit

Tokyo's commuters were disappointed to discover that many of their city's famous vending machines have been put on lockdown, leaving travelers bereft of train station iced coffee and ice cream for the duration of President Obama's visit to Tokyo.

According to Rocket News 24, President Obama arrives in Tokyo this evening and will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. As part of the security measures for the president's visit, the vending machines at Shinjuku Sanchome Station were powered down and all their access points covered with heavy tape as part of an anti-terrorism measure.

Additionally, recycling bins and coin-operated storage lockers at the station were also temporarily shut down to prevent people from putting potentially dangerous items in them. The lockers and vending machines have been plastered with polite notices explaining why their services are currently unavailable, and that they would be back in operation again after April 25. Until then, everyone will just have to make use of Tokyo's many handy convenience stores for their beverage and ice cream needs.