A vending machine near Aoba Station has become popular with students. The machine does not only sell drinks. It also says kind words.

When a student buys a drink, the machine says, "Good job today." Sometimes it says, "You worked hard."

Many students say the machine is helpful. One high school student said, "I was tired after club activities. Then the machine said, 'Good job.' I almost cried."

The station staff said the new feature was added by mistake.

"We wanted the machine to say, 'Please take your drink,'" a staff member said. "But somehow, it became very kind."

Some adults are also using the machine. One office worker bought three coffees and said, "I needed three compliments today."

The machine is now called "the kind machine" by local students.

However, there is one problem. When a student buys too many sweet drinks, the machine says, "Maybe water is also good."

The students are not sure if the machine is kind or strict.