Lawson opens first disaster-resilient store in Japan, with solar power, water, and Wi-Fi, aiming for 100 such stores by 2030.

Lawson Inc. opened its first disaster-resilient convenience store in Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture, on February 24, 2026, equipped with solar panels, a well, Starlink Wi-Fi, smartphone chargers, a kitchen for onigiri, and emergency restrooms. Designed to serve as a community hub during disasters like a Nankai Trough earthquake, it will provide free essentials and communication access. The company plans to expand to 100 such stores along Japan’s Pacific coast by fiscal 2030, with support from KDDI. Other chains are also enhancing disaster readiness, though experts stress the need for personal emergency preparedness due to potential supply and power limitations.