Lawson and Asahi Kasei Real Estate Residence Promote Community Interaction with Free Picture Book Corners

Lawson, Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Sadanobu Takemasu; hereinafter 'Lawson') and Asahi Kasei Real Estate Residence Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yasumichi Ichikawa; hereinafter 'Asahi Kasei Real Estate Residence') will launch a service starting June 4th (Thursday) at the 'Happy Lawson Town Ikeda Fushiodai Store,' which opens on the same day with the concept of 'creating a town where everyone can live happily across generations, with the store as a hub,' and at the 'Lawson Ryujinmura Nishi Store,' a 'community共生 convenience store' (*1) that opened in October 2024 in an area where a supermarket had withdrawn. At these stores, customers will be able to freely pick up and read picture books for free in the in-store eat-in areas.

(*1): A general term for store openings nationwide that aim to enable everyone to continue shopping conveniently and enjoyably on a daily basis, in collaboration with local governments, local companies, and community members.

This initiative utilizes the mechanism of the 'BORIKI Picture Book Box' project (*2), an activity developed by Asahi Kasei Real Estate Residence that creates connections between people through picture books. Approximately 100 picture books donated by 74 publishers for the 'BORIKI Picture Book Box' project, which have been used previously, will be placed in the eat-in areas of both stores, providing a space where anyone, from children to adults, can casually engage with picture books. This is the first time a convenience store has introduced the 'BORIKI Picture Book Box.'

Recently, interest in picture books has been increasing even amid the declining birthrate, and more works are being created that adults can also enjoy. At both stores, the aim is to create a community open to the region, where interaction across generations is sparked by picture books.

(*2): A project targeting the 'Hebel Maison BORIKI' rental housing for families, designed to foster empathy among child-rearing households. With cooperation from publishers, the project aims to invigorate communication between parents and children and among residents.

'Happy Lawson Town Ikeda Fushiodai Store' (5-2-2 Fushiodai, Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture) This is the first store of the 'Happy Lawson Town' concept, which aims to create a town where everyone can live happily across generations, with the store as a hub. In addition to the store itself, indoor and outdoor community spaces are provided, aiming to serve as a place for interaction for all customers.

'Lawson Ryujinmura Nishi Store' (337-1 Ryujinmura Nishi, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture) Opened in October 2024 as a community共生 convenience store aiming to solve various regional social issues, on the site of a former supermarket. It offers a wide selection of fresh foods and souvenirs, and is used by local residents as well as tourists.

Lawson continues to develop stores that are close to the lives of local communities, valuing the warmth generated from human connections unique to physical stores, alongside improving productivity through digital technology. Asahi Kasei Real Estate Residence is committed to providing safe and prosperous living through community rental housing like Hebel Maison and the management and operation of rental housing that accommodates diverse lifestyles. Lawson and Asahi Kasei Real Estate Residence aim to revitalize local communities through this initiative, and will consider future expansion after verifying customer usage conditions.