The nation's 100 major post offices launched a new automated shopping service Wednesday for products ranging from airline tickets to game software, entering yet another new business.
The new services are provided through tieups with 12 companies, including Mitsukoshi department store and Japan Travel Bureau, according to officials of the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry.
Since May, the ministry has offered automated services to take orders for popular "furusato" parcels, a package of local specialties delivered straight to one's home.
Wednesday's move is in response to requests from customers wishing to see a greater variety of products sold through post office automated teller machines similar to those that dispense cash, the officials said.
Under the new service, customers insert their cash card for postal savings into the machine and select products on the panel. The charge is immediately deducted from the account and the products will be delivered in several days.
Airline and other tickets can be booked through the machine. Customers then take their receipt to ticket counters to collect tickets.
A series of coupons and tickets for some 150 theme parks are also available. The ministry plans to further increase the number of products.