Convenience store operator FamilyMart Co. and Japan Post Holdings Co. said Tuesday they will begin a delivery service enabling foreign visitors to Japan to send packages from FamilyMart's domestic stores for pickup at its stores elsewhere around Asia.

FamilyMart expects foreign visitors to use the service — the first international delivery service offered by a Japanese convenience store chain — to send home souvenirs and other items purchased in Japan. Items will be shipped overseas via the distribution network of Japan Post.

The service may commence during the current business year to Taiwan where Family-Mart has many stores, with plans to expand the service to Thailand and China, the officials said.

As of Feb. 29, FamilyMart had 11,656 stores in Japan, 2,985 stores in Taiwan and 1,530 stores in China, according to the company's home-page.

The delivery service was agreed as part of a tieup agreement signed Tuesday to promote efforts to effectively use the two companies' business resources.