The city of Ichikawa in Chiba Prefecture has joined the ranks of banks and e-commerce firms utilizing convenience stores to reach the public.
The city began a service in May that gives customers access to information on its administrative affairs and other municipal matters, making it the nation's first public entity to hook up with convenience stores.
The system is aimed at making things more convenient for Ichikawa residents, 36 percent of whom live alone and more than 70 percent of whom work within the metropolis, according to the city government.
Computer terminals at 1,686 convenience stores operated by Lawson Inc., Sunkus & Associates Inc. and Yamazaki Baking Co. in the locality, as well as in Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture, are being used for the new system.