beer vending machines

apparently these things use to be as common as rice here but now they are few and far between. In Japan the drinking age is 20 but it is pretty much the honor system; however, with the decrease of beer vending machines it leads me to believe that there were some troubles with the honor system. That being said, I have NEVER been carded here while buying a drink anywhere or even when entering a club or bar... Coming from the states where most of the time you get your ID checked just to get in, whether you will drink or not, it is different to say the least.