TOKYO -- Convenience stores have saturated their markets across much of Japan, but those in northern regions are facing particularly harsh competition due to a rapidly declining population.
Datawatch
Shrinking population threatens Japan's convenience stores
Glut of minimarts puts operators on notice as customer bases dwindle
The Lawson convenience store chain has one store at the northern tip of Hokkaido with a customer base of about 3,000 people, down 15% from a decade ago. © Reuters
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