FamilyMart will begin broadcasting special fraud prevention videos across its stores nationwide starting June 9, 2026 [1].
The initiative comes as Japan faces a surge in sophisticated scams, including "fake police" fraud, which target unsuspecting citizens. By utilizing digital signage in high-traffic retail environments, authorities aim to reach a broader demographic that may not engage with traditional government warnings.
National Police Agency Director General of the Criminal Investigation Bureau Hirotaka Shigematsu said the situation is serious, noting that both the number of recognized cases and the total amount of damage in 2025 were the worst on record [1]. The agency said the signage provides a significant public relations effect because so many people encounter these screens during their daily routines [1].
Financial data highlights the scale of the crisis. Total damages from special fraud in 2025 reached approximately 141.4 billion yen [3], with other reports citing the figure as exceeding 140 billion yen [1]. This marks a record high for the country.
The campaign will roll out across approximately 2,000 FamilyMart locations [1]. The videos are designed to alert customers to the tactics used by scammers, specifically those posing as law enforcement officers to steal funds.
FamilyMart Vice President Toshio Kato said the company intends to fulfill its responsibility as an infrastructure that protects the safety of local residents through cooperation with relevant agencies [1].
“The number of recognized cases and the total amount of damage in 2025 were the worst on record.”
This partnership signals a shift in Japanese public safety strategy, moving from passive government alerts to active integration within private commercial spaces. By leveraging the ubiquity of convenience stores, the National Police Agency is attempting to create a 'safety net' of information that reaches citizens in their most common physical environments to counter the record-breaking financial losses seen in 2025.
