SUSTAINABILITY Community Relations

Basic Concept

The Lawson Group is committed to making the communities in which we live and work happy based on the Group's philosophy: "Creating Happiness and Harmony in Our Communities." In line with this philosophy, each and every Lawson Group store is involved in activities to bring happiness to communities, something which is linked to the idea of leaving no one behind, one of the principles of the SDGs. We will continue to think seriously about what we can do for our customers, our communities, and the Earth, and will work together with our franchise store owners and the entire Group to solve social issues in order to help build the kind of world envisioned by the SDGs.

Promotion of Collaborative Community Projects in Partnership with Local Governments: Signing of Comprehensive Agreements

To create “new hubs of refreshment in every community” in pursuit of new ways to provide convenience, from fiscal 2022 Lawson is strengthening its system to thoroughly pursue the creation of customer value at sites closer to customers, based on the strategic concept of “community based × individual customer and individual store-focused.” We established the Hokkaido Company and the Kinki Company as leading areas to grasp the characteristics of each area and quickly respond to changes in customers and communities, with the aim of developing closer ties with local communities. From fiscal 2023, we are expanding the company system nationwide in order to further promote our concept of “community based × individual customer and individual store-focused.”
As part of its efforts to promote closer ties with local communities, Lawson has concluded comprehensive agreements with local governments throughout Japan and collaborates with them on projects to revitalize their communities and create more comfortable environments for local residents. Through these comprehensive agreements with local governments, we actively promote a variety of community contribution activities, including the operation of stores that are closely connected to the local community, the development of products that take advantage of local ingredients, support for welfare and childcare, promotion of tourism, and disaster countermeasures. In addition, we are developing antenna shops in cooperation with some local governments. Through the power of our network of Lawson stores throughout Japan, we will continue to invigorate communities throughout the country by contributing to regional revitalization through the active sale of products that use local ingredients.

● Comprehensive agreements concluded (as of July 31, 2023) 66 local governments (45 prefectures, 21 municipalities)

Name of local government Date of agreement Tourism & PR Prefectural products & food Welfare & childcare Environmental contribution Crime prevention & youth Disaster preparedness
Hokkaido 2008.02.21
Aomori 2008.12.15
Iwate 2008.06.23
Miyagi 2009.07.27
Akita 2009.10.26
Yamagata 2010.11.08 (2008.05.30)
Fukushima 2010.05.10
Sapporo City 2010.03.18
Asahikawa City 2014.03.11
Sapporo Collaboration Hub City Park
(12 municipalities including Sapporo)
2019.07.12
Hakodate City 2019.11.22
Sendai City 2022.06.06
Name of local government Date of agreement Tourism & PR Prefectural products & food Welfare & childcare Environmental contribution Crime prevention & youth Disaster preparedness
Ibaraki 2013.11.08
Tochigi 2011.04.26
Gunma 2012.09.13
Saitama 2008.06.30
Chiba 2010.05.12
Niigata 2009.09.09
Yamanashi 2008.06.24
Nagano 2007.09.19
Yokohama City 2009.05.21
Name of local government Date of agreement Tourism & PR Prefectural products & food Welfare & childcare Environmental contribution Crime prevention & youth Disaster preparedness
Toyama 2006.08.09
Ishikawa 2008.11.27
Fukui 2007.03.07
Gifu 2009.03.31
Shizuoka 2008.09.22
Aichi 2009.10.05
Mie 2006.04.24
Name of local government Date of agreement Tourism & PR Prefectural products & food Welfare & childcare Environmental contribution Crime prevention & youth Disaster preparedness
Shiga 2015.03.26
Kyoto 2014.01.23
Osaka 2009.07.07
Hyogo 2009.05.27
Nara 2014.04.14
Wakayama 2003.08.01
Kobe City 2014.03.10
Kyoto City 2021.11.01
Name of local government Date of agreement Tourism & PR Prefectural products & food Welfare & childcare Environmental contribution Crime prevention & youth Disaster preparedness
Tottori 2006.05.01
Shimane 2009.03.13
Okayama 2011.02.08
Hiroshima 2012.07.12
Yamaguchi 2011.09.26
Tokushima 2006.12.04
Kagawa 2008.03.13
Ehime 2012.02.21
Kouchi 2007.10.31
Name of local government Date of agreement Tourism & PR Prefectural products & food Welfare & childcare Environmental contribution Crime prevention & youth Disaster preparedness
Fukuoka 2013.03.13
Saga 2006.09.30
Nagasaki 2008.07.09
Kumamoto 2007.12.17
Oita 2007.05.09
Miyazaki 2007.06.04
Kagoshima 2007.09.14
Okinawa 2007.07.10
Kitakyushu City 2015.08.25
Fukuoka City 2011.04.22
Kumamoto City 2012.11.21

● Main Initiatives in Comprehensive Agreements with Local Governments

  • Promotion of tourism and PR

    Placement of prefectural PR magazines and flyers with tourism information, etc.

  • Expansion of sales of local products and foodstuffs

    Development of "local production for local consumption" products using local products and ingredients, and promotion of local production for local consumption as a concept

  • Welfare and childcare support

    Provision of hot water for infant milk, sales of products from nursing homes, etc.

  • Environmental contribution

    Efforts to reduce plastic, participation in greening and cleanup activities, etc.

  • Crime prevention and youth development

    Support for children's healthy growth through sports promotion

  • Disaster preparedness

    Procurement of supplies and support for those who have difficulty returning home in the event of a disaster

We are making various efforts to create happiness and harmony in our communities, which helps contribute to addressing the SDGs at our stores throughout Japan.

The Three Promises, the Lawson Group's philosophy and business policy, help us contribute to addressing the SDGs and lead to happiness and harmony in our communities. Here are some examples of activities to create happiness and harmony in our communities being undertaken at our stores across Japan.

Examples of stores that received the Franchise Store SDGs Awards for FY2022

Communicating directly with elderly people at the job fair helped to relieve the anxiety they had

Left: Sapporo Nishi Branch Sapporo Maruyama Minami 1-jo Store
Mr. Masaki Konno Owner
Right: Sapporo Higashi Branch Sapporo Utsukushigaoka 3-jo Store
Mr. Tadao Kaneko Owner

Hiring staff through a booth set up at a job fair
for the elderly

We ran a booth at a job fair for the elderly that was organized by the local government, where visitors could watch videos of staff cooking in the kitchen and use actual automatic changedispensing machines. Giving visitors the opportunity to take part in actual work gives them peace of mind—"Maybe I can do this job," which led to the hiring of new staff.

Feel great receiving “Thank you!”
from so many customers

Chiba Kita Branch Kashiwa Minamimasuo 1-chome Store
Mr. Naoki Noda Owner

Mobile sales catering mainly to nursing homes

We provide a mobile sales service three to five times a week at about twelve locations, mainly nursing homes, to give elderly people a sense of excitement. We are aiming to increase the number of sales locations as a way of contributing to the region and creating happiness in communities.

I'll continue working this job
as long as people tell me:
"You are always so helpful"

Shizuoka Nishi Branch Kikugawa Nishikata Store
Mr. Tadashi Totsuka Owner

Mobile sales service in regions where shopping is difficult

With more local shops closing up in mountainous regions, I have long been working with various organizations to visit around 40 locations a week, because I wanted to "Help out with peoples' shopping."
My elderly customers appreciate the service and tell me it is fun being able to choose their own products.

Customers give us motivation at the events

Kyoto Minami Branch Drug Hikari Takoyakushi Takakura Store
Ms. Mieko Oike Owner

Holdig "Child Store Manager" events

We hold "Child Store Manager" events every month, mainly for elementary school children, where they can take part in stocking shelves or cooking Kara-age Kun. Words of appreciation from children taking part in the events is a source of motivation for our staff.

Left: Store Manager Mr. Yasuhiro Kudo
Right: Store Manager Ms. Akiho Yamagami

We have just started out with these initiatives, but want to expand scope in the future

Osaka Kita Branch Miyakojima Takakuracho 1-chome Store
Mr. Hiroya Kitada Owner

Cooperating with initiatives like food drives for children's cafeterias and junior high school student work experience

All our staff communicate with customers and ask them to donate any shelf-stable foods they could not eat themselves at home to struggling households like single-parent families. We also accept junior high school students every year to take part in work experience at our stores, giving them the opportunity to prepare themselves for future work and learn how to interact with customers by using registers.

I want to play an essential role for my community

Tottori Branch Ketaka Shikanocho Store
Mr. Kenji Hayashi Owner

Mobile sales and community watch services for seniors in hilly areas

As part of my collaborative work with the local government, for nine years I have been visiting areas where shopping is difficult to check on the people living there. If people are unable to come directly to my mobile sales vehicle, I make every effort to visit them at their homes to check how they are doing.

Paying attention to our product lineup
for our customers

Tokushima Branch Higashi Miyoshi Cho Hiruma Store
Mr. Hiroshi Hyodo Owner

Providing mobile sales for elderly people's facilities

From four years ago, we have been visiting a total of five social welfare associations and elderly facilities with our mobile sales vehicle. We are often asked to bring certain products the following week, which we deliver every week, together with our big smile.

We have developed the habit of "thinking from the other person's perspective"

Saga/Kurume Branch Mizu Kihara Store
Mr. Yoshiro Kuhara Owner
Store Manager Mr. Kazuhito Nakata (Photo)

Providing mobile sales service for elderly and disabled customers

Around 50 times a month, we regularly visit nursing homes and facilities for the disabled. We also hold summer festivals and Christmas events as part of efforts so that customers can practice their shopping skills, and our customer's families also praise the service we provide: "It is excellent training for their independence."

Interacting with customers helps give us confidence, and is exciting

Kumamoto Nishi Branch Kumamoto Kyomachi 2-chome Store
Mr. Ryosei Yanagida Owner

Work experience for school for special needs education and events for after-school day services

We run work experience at our store four times a year to provide the opportunity to perform tasks like packing items in bags and restocking shelves. Users of day services participate in season in-store events like Halloween and bean throwing ceremonies.

Examples of stores that received the Franchise Store SDGs Awards for FY2021

The first convenience store certified by the city for hiring women!

Doto Branch Kitami Hikarino Store
Mr. Kazuyoshi Nakahashi Owner

We have proactively hired women as store managers, leader crew members, and fantasistas, and we have been certified by Kitami City as a “Kitami Work-Life Balance Certification Office System” We have also realized discount sales of products that are close to their sell-by date through suggestions from women. We also collect refill packs for detergents, etc., and cooperate in collecting cardboard boxes and empty cans to support the employment of people with disabilities.

Supporting independence in working life through the employment of people with disabilities

Sapporo Kita Branch Hitsujigaoka Tembodaimae Store
Mr. Naoki Matsuoka Management Owner

We employ people with communication disabilities to support the independence of people with disabilities in their work lives. While we emphasize finding tasks and things they are good at, we are also educating them on how to deal with difficult tasks.The receptiveness of the employees working together has increased, and a culture of praising, acknowledging, and appreciating has been fostered, and as a result, it has contributed to an improvement in employee retention rate.

Cooperating with a Social Welfare Council to support local life through mobile sales

Saitama Kita Branch Fukaya Hanzawa Shinden Store
Mr. Takeshi Ishimaru Owner

In cooperation with the Social Welfare Council, we have started mobile sales that are closely linked to the local community, and we also serve as guardians. This is also used by local residents, especially the elderly. We can know their needs since we can communicate more closely with customers there than at stores. In addition, we are also delivering boxed meals to those who are recuperating at home due to COVID-19.

Realization of barrier-free minds through vocational training for people with disabilities

Saitama Higashi Branch Koshigaya Omanocho 2-chome Store
Mr. Kenya Ichikawa Owner

We implemented vocational training for people with disabilities to promote the employment of people with disabilities. We have created an original work schedule that takes into account the individuality of each person, such as having cash registers for wheelchair users, having others do stocking and making FF*. They serve customers with wonderful smiles and accurately stock items. By working with them, the hospitality spirit of the crew is also enhanced.

* FF:Fried foods

Participating in various activities, such as attending dementia supporter training course

Aichi Minami Branch Higashiura Odai Park-mae Store
Mr. Yoji Matsuya Owner
Mr. Takeshi Nishii (photo) Store Manager

Many of our regular customers are elderly, so we adjusted our shifts to acquire the correct knowledge and understanding of dementia, and a total of 10 people attended the dementia supporter training course. As a result, we were able to create a store where conversations with customers increased and customers could use our services with peace of mind. Additionally, we are working on various activities such as accepting workplace experiences and cleaning around the store.

Implemented discount sales to reduce food loss and increase sales

Hiroshima Higashi Branch Mihara Minami Store
Mr. Toru Sakamoto Owner

In these days when the problem of food loss is being called out, we are thinking about what we can do by ourselves, and we are working on discount sales at all of the stores that we run. We set detailed discount rules for each category, price range, and time period, and guide customers by posting handwritten notices. While it took time to get all the crew members to learn the operation, it not only reduced food loss, but it also expanded the product lineup and increased sales.

Weekly mobile sales in cooperation with local homes for the elderly

Yamaguchi Branch Sanyoonoda Habu Store
Ms. Kazue Furutoyo Owner
Mr. Kimiaki Yoshimura (photo) Acting Owner

We are conducting mobile sales at two homes for the elderly in order to respond to the roles required by the community. Every week, I feel rewards when I see residents waiting with smiles and anticipation. There were some difficulties, such as preparing the products that each person requested and the consideration we took for people with physical disabilities, but it is also an important experience that we can use in our work in the store.

Cutting milk cartons from MACHI café, washing them and donating them to nearby elementary schools

Kagawa Branch Takamatsu Bancho 3-chome Store 5 Stores
Ms. Emiko Waki Owner

Thinking of ways to contribute to the environment, we began cutting, washing, and storing MACHI café milk cartons at our five stores, and donating them to nearby elementary schools. It seems that elementary schools exchange milk cartons with school toilet paper. Elementary school teachers visited the store and expressed their gratitude, and the children also sent heartwarming messages.

Using mobile sales to call out for local crime prevention

Ehime Higashi Branch Saijo Hiuchi Store
Mr. Tomoaki Fujita Owner

In response to a request from a police station, we implement calls for activities such as crime prevention, traffic safety and fraud prevention in our mobile sales. We use an external speaker on the vehicle to play an automated voice that calls attention to crime prevention, and we call out to each person who comes to shop while handing out reflectors and crime prevention leaflets. This provides an opportunity to talk with customers, and it leads to raising the awareness of local residents.

Promotion of crime prevention activities in collaboration with local governments beyond chain store boundaries

Ehime Nishi Branch Matsuyama Yougo Higashi 5-chome Store
Mr. Hiroshi Fujisaki Owner

I have served as the chairman of the Late-Night Business Store Crime Prevention Association for 10 years. I work with local police to conduct crime prevention drills, inspect crime prevention systems, and take measures to prevent juvenile delinquency. We devote our energy to create communities with safety and security and for the sound development of industry, such as by building a “convenience store police officer system”, in which police officers stop by stores and offer crime prevention consultations.




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