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Many Hongkongers traveling to Japan are drawn to the capsule toy machines, but recent reports from Japanese media indicated that an attraction in Tokushima has issued a warning about individuals using 5 HK cent coins in 100 yen (approximately HK$5.2) vending machines, causing heated online discussions in both Hong Kong and Japan.
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A museum dedicated to goblins and unusual stones in Tokushima shared on Twitter that it had discovered fifteen 5 HK cent coins in its capsule toy vending machines during the previous week.
Given that a 5 HK cent coin has a current value of approximately 9.7 yen, it is suspected that some individuals may be attempting to circumvent the pricing system by using these coins to acquire toys at a lower price.
The museum reported a revenue loss amounting to 1,500 yen due to this occurrence ands subsequently filed a report with the police, advising all operators of capsule toy machines to remain vigilant.
The museum's post rapidly incited discussions across various online platforms, accumulating approximately 7.6 million views as of Sunday (Mar 30).
Most commenters condemned the actions of the wrongdoers as "immoral" and questioned whether the practice is circulating within specific groups.
Some Hong Kong internet users apologized through comments, stating "As a Hongkonger, I am truly sorry."
Users also drew attention to the similarities between the two coins. The 5 HK cent coin has a diameter of 22.5 millimeters and a thickness of 1.72 millimeters, whereas the 100 yen coin measures 22.6 millimeters in diameter with a thickness of 1.7 millimeters.
Prior to this incident, warnings regarding substituting foreign coins for yen in vending machines have been noted online since 2018.
There were also cases of scammers using 500 South Korean won coins instead of 500 yen coins in Japan's vending machines, prompting the government to introduce a new design for the 500 yen coins.
