Japan's convenience store chains chase elixir of growth across Asia

Japan's convenience store chains chase elixir of growth across Asia

It’s 50 years since Kenji Yamamoto opened the doors at what would become part of the fabric of Japan: the country’s first modern-day convenience store. But 50 years from now, Japan’s population is projected to shrink by close to a third, and the fate of a multibillion-dollar industry will hang on how its big players negotiate essential growth overseas.