Hassan Maishera
TL;DR
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Lawson will pilot stablecoin payments at a Tokyo convenience store starting in early August.
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Customers will be able to pay using JPYC, Japan's first licensed yen-backed stablecoin.
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The trial is being conducted with telecom giant KDDI and crypto wallet provider HashPort.
Japanese convenience store operator Lawson is preparing to pilot stablecoin payments, marking another step toward integrating regulated digital assets into everyday retail transactions.
According to a report from Nikkei, the company's Takanawa Gateway City store in Tokyo will begin accepting payments in the yen-backed stablecoin JPYC from early August as part of a proof-of-concept initiative.
Pilot Brings Stablecoin Payments to Retail
The trial is being conducted in collaboration with KDDI, Japan's second-largest telecommunications company, and HashPort, a crypto wallet provider that supports JPYC transactions.
The project aims to evaluate how stablecoins can be used for routine consumer purchases in a real-world retail environment while leveraging Japan's regulated digital asset infrastructure.
Lawson is Japan's third-largest convenience store chain, trailing only Seven-Eleven and FamilyMart. The company operates 14,697 stores nationwide and reported more than ¥3.02 trillion (approximately $18.68 billion) in net sales during the 2026 fiscal year.
JPYC debuted in October last year as Japan's first registered yen-backed stablecoin following the introduction of stricter licensing requirements for stablecoin issuers under regulations implemented in 2023.
The stablecoin is designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with the Japanese yen and is available across multiple blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Avalanche, Polygon, and Kaia.
JPYC Inc. says every token issued is fully backed by reserves consisting of Japanese yen deposits and government bonds, ensuring compliance with Japan's Payment Services Act.
The company recently announced that the total value of JPYC circulating on-chain has exceeded ¥2 billion (around $12.36 million), reflecting growing adoption of the regulated digital currency.
Expansion Into Japan's Digital Asset Ecosystem
Beyond retail payments, JPYC is expanding its role within Japan's broader digital asset ecosystem.
The stablecoin issuer recently joined Metaplanet and Progmat in a collaborative research initiative exploring digital credit systems that combine Bitcoin, stablecoins, and tokenized securities.
The Lawson pilot represents another milestone in Japan's efforts to integrate regulated blockchain-based payment solutions into mainstream commerce, as businesses continue to explore practical applications for stablecoins in everyday transactions.
