SUSTAINABILITY Lawson stores take on challenges in response to the needs of their communities

Making stores a part of the core infrastructure that supports the community
Lawson stores are evolving to keep pace with community issues

As supermarkets increasingly withdraw from areas affected by aging and shrinking populations, more and more consumers are finding it hard to locate groceries and other necessities. In addition, Japan faces the growing risk of various disasters. For example, the probability of a major Nankai Trough earthquake over the next 30 years is said to be 60-90% or higher. Climate change is also contributing to the growing frequency of extreme weather events.

Under the Group Philosophy of Creating Happiness and Harmony in Our Communities, Lawson has developed a customer-oriented business model based on Three Promises: Superior Taste, Human Kindness, and Environmental (Machi) Friendliness. In addition to adapting to changing communities and customer needs, we strive to find solutions to society's challenges.

As part of these efforts, in partnership with local governments, KDDI CORPORATION, and other partner firms, we’re developing a new store model to serve as an infrastructure to support the lives of people in the community in every aspect. The vision is to have these stores serve as a base for community solutions. Central to this approach is the Happy Lawson Town community revitalization vision, whose goal is to build places where all residents can live enjoyable lives, across the generations, with peace of mind, centered around Lawson stores. Some of our initiatives to develop stores in light of social issues, such as convenience stores in coexistence with the community and disaster support Lawson stores, are introduced below alongside the Happy Lawson Town vision.

The information below is current as of the end of June 2026. Trials remain underway at each store; actual store initiatives may differ.

Vision for community revitalization to build places where all residents can live enjoyable lives, across the generations, with peace of mind, around Lawson stores
Happy Lawson Town

On our 50th anniversary in 2025, Lawson announced the Happy Lawson Town* vision to achieve our corporate goal of community revitalization. We strive to achieve community revitalization and to build places where all residents can live enjoyable lives, across the generations, with peace of mind, around Lawson stores.

* The Happy Lawson Town vision seeks to advance community revitalization by building real-world ties across generations, with Lawson stores serving as community hubs. We promote Lawson's vision for community development in cooperation with local governments and other businesses while incorporating technologies, entertainment, and other elements into our stores.

Main initiatives at the Happy Lawson Town Ikeda Fushiodai Store

<Distinctive product lineup>

Over-the-counter medications, vegetables and other fresh foods, frozen meats, frozen seafoods, bakery and deli items shipped directly from Hankyu Delica's plant, Hankyu Hello Dog pet goods, soft-serve ice cream, etc.

<Distinctive services>

  • Provides a dining area with raised seating floors, a free picture book reading area, and other community spaces.
  • Provides remote customer service platforms and AI-based services to make life more convenient, including the Ponta Yorozu online counseling service and Ikeda City AI Support service.
  • AI drones and disaster signage on hand at all times to assure resident safety and security both in ordinary times and in the event of emergencies.
  • Provides Starlink and other Disaster Support Lawson features.
  • The first Happy Lawson Town store: the Happy Lawson Town Ikeda Fushiodai Store (address: 5-2-2 Fushiodai, Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture)
    Opened June 4, 2026
  • The store sells baked goods (above) and deli items shipped directly from the HANKYUDELICA, INC. plant. Baked goods include popular salted bread and melon buns; deli items include stewed foods and salads
  • Community space for interaction among local residents and for workshops and other events

Providing solutions to various community issues
A convenience store that coexists with the community

In partnership with local governments, local businesses, and residents, Lawson is opening convenience stores that coexist with their communities—places where anyone can enjoy convenient shopping every day in regions facing a lack of nearby retail outlets following the withdrawal of supermarkets and other stores. Drawing on the strengths of convenience stores, which, in contrast to supermarkets, can thrive even in areas with sparse populations and operate with a small staff, these stores seek to coexist with their communities by stocking an extensive selection of fresh food and local produce and by posting community information in dining areas.

Main initiatives of the LAWSON Ryujinmura Nishi Store, a convenience store that coexists with the community

  • Expanding the lineup of fresh and frozen foods to support the everyda y lives of nearby residents.
  • Opening a spacious dining area with raised seating floors as a community space where local information is available.
  • LAWSON Ryujinmura Nishi Store (address: 337-1 Ryujinmura Nishi, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture)
    Opened October 4, 2024
  • The store stocks hearty Ryujin mushrooms, fresh fruit, and other local produce, as well as taro shochu and other specialties. The larger freezer cases feature an expanded lineup of frozen foods like meats, seafood, and delicacies
  • This spacious dining area with raised seating floors offers a place where residents can meet

Serving as a place to shop in ordinary times and as a base for community support in the event of an emergency
Disaster Support Lawson

Alongside KDDI CORPORATION, Lawson is opening Disaster Support Lawson stores as places to shop in ordinary times and as support bases for community residents in the event of an emergency. These stores will continue operating as community infrastructure while putting human life first in the event of a major disaster like a massive Nankai Trough Earthquake. In addition to supporting the community by communicating disaster information, providing water and food supplies, and securing telecommunications and electricity in times of disasters, these stores will serve as bases for telecommunications recovery activities.

Main initiatives of the LAWSON Futtsu Minato Store as a Disaster Support Lawson store

  • Communicating disaster information: using digital signage for customers and store computers and tablets for employees to communicate tsunami alerts and other emergency information.
  • Providing water and food supplies: storing at least 1,500 L of drinking water in stockrooms; preparing a special emergency menu of rice balls using the store kitchen; and providing non-potable water from a hand-pumped well on store premises.
  • Securing telecommunications and electricity: Providing free Wi-Fi for all customers based on Starlink satellite communications; setting up chargers in stores to charge mobile devices; installing compact au Femtocell mobile phone base stations in stores based on Starlink as the backhaul line.
  • Stocking emergency toilets: Emergency coagulating toilets are installed at stores.
  • LAWSON Futtsu Minato Store, the first Disaster Support Lawson store (address: 1238-1 Minato, Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture)
    Remodeled store opened February 24, 2026
    A plate identifies the store as a Disaster Support Lawson store
  • Preparing a special emergency menu of rice balls using the store kitchen to serve to customers in the event of an emergency. All that's needed are water and rice
  • Providing non-potable water from a hand-pumped well on store premises
  • Providing free Wi-Fi for residents based on Starlink satellite communications (installed by KDDI CORPORATION)
  • Setting up chargers in the store so residents affected by a disaster can charge their smartphones and other devices (installed by KDDI CORPORATION)


PAGE TOP