• Yo-Kai Express, a developer of a robotic ramen vending machine, has deployed its robotic ramen-making vending machine at the Haneda airport in Tokyo, marking the company’s entry into Japan. The company also claims to be the first to debut a ramen-making robot in Japan.

• The unit is operational around the clock, serving ramen with four types of miso for JPY 790 (USD 6.55). The company also hinted at more deployments in the country in the coming months.

<ul><li> Analyst QuickTake: Yo-Kai Express first expressed its intention to enter the Japanese market back in December 2020. At the time, the company mentioned that it was in talks to offer the unit to ramen restaurants in Japan, co-branding and selling meals by recreating their recipes. Therefore, we believe the company might tap such restaurants as its first deployment locations in Japan in the future.</ul>