Japan's retail and tech sector rolls out new promotions, unmanned stores amid yen‑linked bankruptcies

FamilyMart will run its "price‑same, 45% increase" campaign twice this year, launching two weeks of 13 boosted products starting 4 August and again on 11 August. The promotion, first introduced in 2021, adds 45% more of items such as the "Fami‑chiki" chicken, ham sandwiches and large takoyaki, aiming to offer value without cutting prices.

Tokyo Shoko Research reported that July saw five bankruptcies linked to the weak yen, bringing the year‑to‑date total to 50 – the highest pace since 2022. Small firms, including baby‑goods seller Telex, cited rising import costs as the main cause. The trend reflects continued pressure on Japanese SMEs from high commodity prices despite recent currency‑intervention efforts.

The IT Association’s "Digital Days 2026" will be streamed free online from 21 August to 25 September. Speakers include Rakuten senior executive Shio Nobuo, Hakuhodo DY’s Mori Masaya and JR West’s security chief Kai Yasuhiro, covering digital transformation, AI use and cybersecurity.

Don Quijote has expanded its unmanned "Campus Donki" stores across Osaka‑area universities. Using NTT Data’s Catch&Go system, AI cameras and weight sensors automatically register purchases, while entry is managed via LINE mini‑app or the company’s Majica app. The first store opened in July 2025, with three locations now operating, offering a 20‑square‑metre, cash‑less shopping experience for students.