Since Japan's first convenience store opened near Tokyo Bay almost 50 years ago, these stores have become a ubiquitous part of the country's culture. Customers visit them not only for groceries but also for a variety of other services, such as financial services and package delivery. However, in recent years, the domestic convenience store market has become saturated, and competition has increased. A labor shortage has also become a serious issue, causing some stores to give up 24-hour operations and introduce unmanned cash registers to adapt to changing times. Established in November 1973, Seven-Eleven Japan Co. opened its first store in Tokyo's Toyosu district in May 1974, following a licensing agreement with Southland Corp., the U.S.-based operator of the brand. Today, Seven-Eleven Japan is a product of Japanese culture recognized worldwide. Other chains, such as Lawson Inc. and FamilyMart Co., started franchise operations shortly after Seven-Eleven's establishment...