Lawson is expanding the deployment of bear-repellent spray to about 1,000 of its convenience stores across Japan [1].
The move comes as an increasing frequency of bear sightings and related damage has prompted the company to strengthen safety measures for its employees and customers [3].
Starting Tuesday, July 14, the chain will begin placing bear-safety warning stickers at approximately 2,800 stores [1]. This rollout applies nationwide, although it excludes locations in Kyushu and Okinawa [1]. The expansion of repellent spray equipment is expected to be completed within 2026 [2].
This represents a significant increase in the company's safety infrastructure. As of October 2025, approximately 100 stores were equipped with the spray [2]. The company is prioritizing the deployment of these tools in the Hokkaido, Tōhoku, and North Kantō regions [2].
Lawson, which operates roughly 13,000 stores nationwide [4], is also pursuing technological solutions to mitigate wildlife risks. The company said it is studying the use of drone-based remote bear monitoring in partnership with KDDI [1].
These measures reflect a broader effort to secure retail environments in areas where human-wildlife conflict is rising. By combining physical deterrents like spray, early-warning systems, and visual alerts, the chain aims to reduce the risk of bear encounters at its storefronts [3].
“Lawson is expanding the deployment of bear-repellent spray to about 1,000 of its convenience stores across Japan.”
The scaling of these measures indicates that bear incursions have moved beyond isolated rural incidents to become a systemic operational risk for Japanese retail. By partnering with a telecommunications giant like KDDI for drone surveillance, Lawson is transitioning from reactive safety tools to a proactive, tech-driven monitoring strategy to ensure business continuity in wildlife-dense regions.
