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 July 31, 2025) 68 local governments (45 prefectures, 23 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

Creating spaces for convenient and enjoyable shopping
Expansion of “Community Coexistence Convenience Stores” and bookstores-within-stores “Machi no Honya-san”

In recent years, due to aging populations and declining demographics, more regions have seen supermarkets withdraw, leaving consumers with increasing inconvenience in shopping for food and daily necessities. Since the 2000s, the number of areas with few bookstores has also been on the rise, creating more bookstore refugees. As part of efforts to revitalize communities (Machi) and create more livable environments, Lawson is developing “Community Coexistence Convenience Stores” and bookstores-within-stores “Machi no Honya-san” so that everyone can enjoy convenient and pleasant shopping in daily life.

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 FY2024