Philippines: M5.3 Earthquake Hits Albay, Road Damage Reported

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Santo Domingo, Albay, in the Philippines on Friday, June 5, at 9:58 p.m. Road cracks and a falling rock were reported around the area, though no casualties have been announced.

Japanese mascot figure helps sales at Taiwan's 7-Eleven

Japanese mascot figure helps sales at Taiwan's 7-Eleven

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima (L) is flanked by the southwestern Japanese prefecture's popular mascot character Kumamon holding an "OPEN-chan" doll, a mascot of 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan, in Taipei on Aug. 19, 2014. The prefecture and President Chain Store Corp., Taiwan's operator of 7-Eleven stores, agreed the same day to collaborate for the sale of 25 Kumamon-bearing items at the stores.

H2O Retailing's new president

H2O Retailing's new president

OSAKA, Japan - Atsushi Suzuki, an executive of Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores Inc., holds a press conference in Osaka on Feb. 25, 2014, after H2O Retailing Corp., the operator of the department store chain, decided to appoint Suzuki as its next president on April 1, replacing Jun Wakabayashi.

Seven & i to forge capital, business alliance with Francfranc operator

Seven & i to forge capital, business alliance with Francfranc operator

TOKYO, Japan - Noritoshi Murata (R), president and chief operating officer of Seven & I Holdings Co., and Fumio Takashima, president of BALS Corp., operator of the Francfranc store chain, shake hands during a press conference in Tokyo on Dec. 25, 2013, at which they announced that the two companies will conclude a capital and business alliance.

Daiei to tie up with drug store chain CFS

Daiei to tie up with drug store chain CFS

TOKYO, Japan - Daiei Inc. President Yasuyuki Higuchi (L) and CFS Corp. President Yukimasa Yoneda pose for photos after announcing an alliance at a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 8. The five-year alliance with the operator of the ''HAC Drug'' chain marks Daiei's first partnership with another company after it began business rehabilitation under the auspices of the Industrial Revitalization Corp. of Japan.

Mitsubishi to become Lawson's biggest shareholder

Mitsubishi to become Lawson's biggest shareholder

TOKYO, Japan - Mitsubishi Corp. will become the largest shareholder in convenience store chain operator Lawson Inc. next by buying an additional 9.1 million shares from the group led by Daiei Inc., Lawson's current main shareholder. Lawson President Kenji Fujiwara (L) and Mitsubishi Executive Director Yorihiko Kojima (R) shake hands at a news conference in Tokyo on Feb. 22.

Lawson names Mitsubishi Corp.'s Niinami as new president

Lawson names Mitsubishi Corp.'s Niinami as new president

TOKYO, Japan - Convenience store chain operator Lawson Inc. said on March 5 Mitsubishi Corp. executive Takeshi Niinami (photo) will become its next president on May 29, replacing Kenji Fujiwara who will become a chairman the same day. Niinami, 43 and a Harvard University graduate, is currently the manager of the trading house's division that oversees Lawson operations.

Japanese mascot figure helps sales at Taiwan's 7-Eleven

Japanese mascot figure helps sales at Taiwan's 7-Eleven

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima (L) is flanked by the southwestern Japanese prefecture's popular mascot character Kumamon holding an "OPEN-chan" doll, a mascot of 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan, in Taipei on Aug. 19, 2014. The prefecture and President Chain Store Corp., Taiwan's operator of 7-Eleven stores, agreed the same day to collaborate for the sale of 25 Kumamon-bearing items at the stores. (Kyodo)

Greener delivery truck for convenience stores

Greener delivery truck for convenience stores

Seven-Eleven Japan Co. President Kazuki Furuya (C) and Toyota Motor Corp. vice president Shigeki Tomoyama (2nd from R) shake hands in Tokyo on June 6, 2018 near a fuel cell-powered delivery truck the automaker provides for the convenience store chain operator. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Mitsubishi to become Lawson's biggest shareholder

Mitsubishi to become Lawson's biggest shareholder

TOKYO, Japan - Mitsubishi Corp. will become the largest shareholder in convenience store chain operator Lawson Inc. next by buying an additional 9.1 million shares from the group led by Daiei Inc., Lawson's current main shareholder. Lawson President Kenji Fujiwara (L) and Mitsubishi Executive Director Yorihiko Kojima (R) shake hands at a news conference in Tokyo on Feb. 22.