The Lawson Group is committed to making the communities in which we live and work happy based on the Group 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 the hub of refreshment in every community, Lawson started to vigorously pursue the creation of customer value at sites closer to customers, under a strategic concept of “community-based x individual customer and store-focused” in fiscal 2022. 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 June 30, 2026) 71 local governments (45 prefectures, 26 municipalities)

• Hokkaido / Tohoku
• Kanto / Koshinetsu
• Chubu / Hokuriku
• Kinki
• Chugoku / Shikoku
• Kyushu / Okinawa

● 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 and nationwide consumption as a concept

• Welfare and childcare support

  

  Provision of hot water for infant milk, watching over elderly persons, and other assistance

• 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

Introducing new services in partnership with local governments and related firms

As part of efforts to create more livable environments and to be a store with roots in the community, Lawson is partnering with local governments and other firms to introduce new services that make communities more vibrant and convenient.

“Machi no Honya-san” bookstore-within-store

LAWSON Machi no Honya-san is a bookstore-within-store brand developed in collaboration between Lawson and TOHAN CORPORATION. In addition to the usual assortment of convenience store merchandise, these stores carry several thousands (as many as 8,000) titles.
Due to the rise of online book sales and e-books, the number of bookstores is shrinking. Growing numbers of communities have few or no bookstores. To make books easily accessible, we opened the first store under this bookstore-within-store concept in Saitama Prefecture in June 2021, and currently there are 32 stores nationwide (as of the end of June 2026). In addition to LAWSON Machi no Honya-san, Lawson is also developing collaboration stores with other bookstores, with plans to further expand bookstore-within-store formats to improve customer convenience.

Ponta Yorozu online counseling service

Ponta Yorozu provides online counseling services by experts in various fields with no appointment needed. Counselors respond to user concerns about living, diet, telecommunications, infrastructure (electricity and gas), financial services, and other topics. This service being introduced by KDDI CORPORATION and Lawson in partnership accepts consultation on various topics online via monitors installed in Lawson stores. For example, some stores in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture provide consultation services on everyday life for residents who find it hard to get to city hall due to issues with transportation services.

Installing multipurpose copiers in local government facilities

The multipurpose copiers in Lawson stores nationwide issue various certificates, including certificates of residence, using My Number cards. Such copiers are installed in some local government facilities in addition to stores. Local government staff note that this also helps publicize services for issuing certificates at convenience stores. As of October 1, 2026, plans call for installation in 18 municipalities (54 units in total), including Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Bando City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Shinagawa City, Tokyo, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Higashiura Town, Aichi Prefecture, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, and six municipalities, including Fukuoka City, in Fukuoka Prefecture.

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.

Group Philosophy and the “Three Promises”, our 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 FY2025

• Hokkaido

  Hokkaido Central Branch
  Iwamizawa
  Minamicho 9-jo
  Store
  Award

  Support for employment of people with disabilities

  

  Owner

  Yuki Fukuoka (L)

  Store Manager

  Mika Fukuoka (R)

  

  We employ a graduate who attended a nearby special needs school as kitchen staff. After attentive training by the store manager, and support by others in the store, today he is able to prepare bento meals alone.

• Hokkaido

  East Hokkaido Branch
  Obihiro West
  17-jo North Store
  Award

  Litter removal with local residents and student crew members

  

  Store Manager

  Shuhei Imamura (at time of report)

  

  We remove litter off store premises, including on walkways and roads, together with local residents and student crew members. We do this 3-4 times a week, and the scope of the activity is broadening gradually. I'm glad to see how this has brought us closer to local residents, who now come to shop at the store even more.

  
• Aomori

  Aomori West Branch
  Onoe Town Store
  Award

  Helping customers using wheelchairs or crutches

  

  Owner's representative

  Mueko Yokoshima (L)

  Store Manager

  Chiharu Kudo (R)

  

  It's hard for customers using wheelchairs or crutches to get out of their cars when they arrive at the store, so we have them call us from the parking lot to tell us what they need and we take it out to their cars. Customers say they are very grateful for this service.

• Miyagi

  Miyagi North Branch
  Kanan Town
  Hirobuchi Store
  Award

  Supporting people with disabilities and children, and conducting community contribution activities

  

  Owner

  Hikaru Suzuki (second from left)

  Store manager

  Emi Suzuki (fourth from left)

  

  In cooperation with an employment support center for people with disabilities, we accept a shopping experience program for people with disabilities once in June and July each year. We also cooperate in community expeditions and litter removal activities by a nearby elementary school and operate a booth at the Bon dance festival to contribute to the community.

  
• Toyama

  Toyama West Branch
  Shinminatotsubatae Store
  Award

  Muslim Hot Station

  

  Store Manager

  Takako Kadoshima

  

  After seeing young Muslims closely checking our products, in 2021 we began offering halal foods that use no pork, to be a convenient store for everybody. Currently we offer 100 halal products.

• Osaka

  Suita Branch
  Segawa Store
  Award

  Holding classes on preventing shoplifting

  

  Owner

  Yoshihiko Kinoshita

  

  We hold monthly classes on understanding the harm caused by shoplifting at the family court. This helps reintegrate and prevent the relapse of young shoplifters into society by letting them and their guardians know about the role of a convenience store in the community and how shoplifting harms the store and how employees feel about it.

  
• Okayama

  Okayama West Branch
  Kurashiki Fukuda Store
  Award

  Free distribution of Kara-age Kun and snacks to childcare facilities

  

  Owner

  Chikara Toyoshima

  

  Inspired by Lawson's free distribution of rice balls during the COVID-19 pandemic, we partner with childcare facilities to distribute Kara-age Kun and snacks free of charge at Christmas and during other events. We strive to be a Lawson store that remains close to our community.

  
• Hiroshima

  Hiroshima West Branch
  Hiroshima Matobacho Store
  Award

  Vibrant Centenarian Exercises in the dining area

  

  Owner

  Naomi Hase

  

  We hold Vibrant Centenarian Exercises sessions in the dining area for about 40 minutes starting at 2:00 pm every Thursday, for people aged 65 and older. We also have a tea party after the exercises, as a store that's popular in the community.

  
• Tottori

  Tottori Branch
  Nichinan Shoyama Store
  Award

  Employment support and art exhibit for people with disabilities

  

  Store supervisor

  Hiroshi Kawamoto (L)

  Store Manager

  Hiroki Sasaki (R)

  

  Our store is a Type A continuous employment support site for welfare services. We conclude employment contracts with disabled and other individuals to provide a place where those with disabilities can work. We also exhibit their works of art.

  

• Ehime

  Ehime East Branch
  Imabari Betsumyo Store
  Award

  Participating in community events with local government and businesses

  

  Owner

  Shinji Higaki

  

  We work with a local soccer club to hold autograph events and other programs. Additionally, we operate a booth in the local Setouchi Minato Marché event. We strive to revitalize the community through energetic efforts with local government and businesses.

  
• Lawson Okinawa

  Okinawa North Branch
  Nago
  Bypass Store
  Special Award

  Turning a vacant lot next to the store into an appealing and restorative community garden

  

  Owner

  Yuki Sunagawa (L)

  

  The vacant lot next to the store was overrun with vegetation, making it a habitat for dangerous creatures like habu snakes and bees. We initiated improvement measures with the permission of the city of Nago, which manages the site. Within three years, the site became a locally-tended flower garden where people can enjoy the seasons. We continue to provide maintenance measures that make this an attractive place.