What is this?

[Gru]

They are called Automated vacuum collection. We had some of those systems in Germany too, the last one was shut down in 2015, due to leaky tubes and high maintanance costs.

[Zasso Nouka]

It's a wonder rubbish wasn't getting stuck inside them all the time.

[MickByrnes1969]

They are not the droids you're looking for.

[Otona Cream Pie]

I wonder what the worst thing shoved down there has been. (I shudder to imagine)

Expired jiji/baba for sure. Make room in the closet and keep collecting that pension.

[Savot]

In a similar vein to the original post any guesses on what the circle and the silver thing are (I only just figured it out this morning)?

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[Zasso Nouka]

Well I for one haven't got the foggiest idea what on earth they are, maybe some sort of blocking plate and holder for something ?

[Eric in Japan]

In a similar vein to the original post any guesses on what the circle and the silver thing are (I only just figured it out this morning)?

image2 (38).jpeg

The circle is the cap for an exhaust, and the square dealy is for the gas or kerosene heater that should be in front of that.

[Savot]

Pin Pon!

Here's a picture of one that's still hooked up.

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image1 (47).jpeg (88.25 KiB) Viewed 5038 times

I don't know about other areas of Japan, but here kero seems to be the main fuel used for heating (even my hot water heater runs on it).