Lawson began rolling out bear-countermeasure measures across its Japanese store network on July 14, 2026 [1, 2].
The initiative comes as escalating bear-related damage and safety concerns have prompted retailers to prioritize the protection of customers and staff [3].
As part of the rollout, Lawson will place warning stickers on store glass at approximately 2,800 locations [1]. This specific signage deployment covers the country nationwide, though it excludes the regions of Kyushu and Okinawa [1].
The company is also expanding the availability of bear-repellent spray. The number of stores equipped with the spray will increase to approximately 1,000 locations [1]. This represents a significant scale-up from October 2025, when only about 100 stores carried the deterrents [2].
Beyond physical signage and sprays, Lawson is studying the use of drone-based remote monitoring. This technological exploration is being conducted in partnership with KDDI [1, 2].
Other retailers are adopting different strategies to manage wildlife. FamilyMart introduced a pilot device in June 2026 called the "Monster Wolf," a wolf-shaped wildlife deterrent designed to scare animals away from premises [1].
“Lawson will place warning stickers on store glass at approximately 2,800 locations”
The shift toward industrial-scale wildlife deterrents by major convenience chains reflects a growing trend of human-wildlife conflict in Japan. By integrating high-tech solutions like KDDI-partnered drones alongside traditional repellents, retailers are treating bear encounters as a systemic operational risk rather than isolated rural incidents.
