Close to Narita International Airport, on a 6.7-hectare patch of ground where spinach, radishes, "komatsuna" and carrots are grown, stands a white sign with the words "Lawson Farm" in blue lettering.

The farm, in the city of Katori, is indeed run by convenience store giant Lawson Inc., which entered the agriculture business by opening this farm in 2010 to generate a stable supply of fresh vegetables for its stores.

Lawson, the country's second-biggest convenience store chain, now runs as many as 10 large farms across the country.