コンビニの裏側 (The Hidden Side of Konbini)

Nur Fazilah binti Halim

This study explores the hidden roles of Japanese convenience stores (konbini) as an important part of Japan’s social infrastructure. Although konbini are commonly known as places to buy food and drinks, they also provide a wide range of services including ATM banking, bill payments, parcel delivery, printing official documents, disaster support, and community assistance. The purpose of this study is to examine how konbini support Japanese society beyond retail functions and to investigate the challenges faced by the industry. The research was conducted using secondary data from government reports, company reports, online references, and survey questionnaires. Information regarding the history, functions, limitations, and future innovations of konbini was collected and analyzed. In addition, a Google Form survey was distributed to examine public awareness and opinions about konbini services and disaster support roles. The collected data were presented in charts and infographic form. The findings show that konbini have evolved from simple retail stores into multifunctional social support systems in Japan. Survey results indicated that many people were aware of food, ATM, and payment services, but fewer respondents knew about clothing sales and disaster support functions. The study also identified several major challenges, including labor shortages caused by Japan’s aging population, food waste, plastic waste, and rising operational costs. To address these issues, konbini companies have introduced initiatives such as the “Temaedori” campaign, discount sticker systems, AI demand prediction, and frozen food expansion. In conclusion, konbini play an essential role in supporting daily life, public convenience, and disaster preparedness in Japan. Future studies may further examine the sustainability and global influence of the Japanese konbini system.