Lawson opens disaster response store near Tokyo
FUTTSU, CHIBA PREF. -- Lawson Inc. opened a store designed to help residents at times of disasters in Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Tuesday, the Japanese convenient store chain's first such outlet.
A well set up outside a Lawson disaster support store in Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan pictured on February 24, 2026. Photo: Jiji Press
In collaboration with KDDI Corp., a wireless operator, the store has a Starlink antenna to give locals Wi-Fi connections for free when mobile and fixed-line phone services are disrupted.
A battery charger that can charge up to 10 smartphones at the same time is available.
A disposable toilet is available to ensure restroom access even when the water supply is cut off.
A digital signage was installed to share disaster information.
The store plans to sell rice balls made there and provide non-potable water from a well for daily use.
A storage battery and solar panels were introduced to cover electricity needs at the store during an outage.
The store will operate as a regular retail outlet during normal times.
The company aims to increase the number of such stores to 100 across the country by fiscal 2030 to prepare for possible large-scale disasters such as a massive earthquake in the Nankai Trough off the country's Pacific coast.
"We'll open such stores mainly in the Pacific coast side, which has higher risks of disasters," Lawson President and CEO Sadanobu Takemasu said.
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