With over 18,000 stores nationwide, finding jobs at Lawson Convenience has become a major way to enter Japan’s retail sector.
If you’re a foreigner living in Japan and seeking a job that offers structure, training, and language immersion, it is worth considering.
This guide offers a hands-on look at how to apply for a position, what you’ll need to prepare, and how it compares to other top convenience chains.
Job Roles and Day-to-Day Work
Known for its clean environment and friendly service, it attracts both locals and foreign residents looking for part-time or full-time jobs.
Key Positions at Lawson Stores
At most Lawson stores, foreign staff are hired for entry-level roles that include:
- Cashier and customer service
- Product stocking and inventory rotation
- Food preparation and heating
- Cleaning and waste sorting
These roles don’t require previous experience, and you’ll receive on-the-job training from day one.
Lawson offers flexible shifts, including early morning, daytime, evening, and late-night hours.
Night shifts often pay more and are open to workers 18 and older. Employees usually work 3–5 hour blocks, depending on the store’s needs and your availability.
Earnings at Lawson Convenience Stores
Base Pay typically ranges from ¥1,050 to ¥1,250/hour, depending on location. Urban areas like Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama often offer ¥1,200+.
Rural or less populated areas may start around ¥1,000–¥1,050.
Night Shift Premium (10:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.): Adds +25% to base pay (e.g., ¥1,250 becomes approx. ¥1,562/hour).
Some franchises offer bonus rates for the New Year or Obon holiday shifts, though not universally.
Example Earnings
5 hours/day × 5 days/week × ¥1,100/hour = ¥110,000/month (approx.)
Night shift workers could earn ¥130,000–¥160,000/month with longer hours and bonuses.
Employee Benefits at Lawson
Partial or full reimbursement of train/bus fare (often capped). Free Lawson uniform, including hat, apron, and shirt.
Some stores offer discounted Lawson meals during long shifts.
Social insurance is available to part-timers working over 20 hours/week and with stable employment. Includes health, pension, and unemployment.
Contract renewal is usually every 3 or 6 months; many long-term part-timers stay for a year or more.
Application Essentials: What You Need to Apply
To apply, you must:
- Be living in Japan with a valid residence card
- Hold a visa that allows work (student, spouse, dependent, working holiday, etc.)
- Be at least 18 years old (for night shifts)
- Have at least basic Japanese communication skills (JLPT N3 or higher recommended)
Required Information
The application form asks for:
- Full name, address, and contact details
- Nationality and status of residence
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) level
- Number of years you’ve lived in Japan
- Preferred working hours and days
All interviews and phone communications are conducted entirely in Japanese, so conversational ability is essential.
How to Apply to Lawson: Step-by-Step
If you want to find jobs at Lawson Convenience, you have two paths ahead of you:
Using the Online Portal
Lawson offers a dedicated hiring website, Lawson Crew. Here’s how to use it:
- Go to the website and choose your language.
- Search by prefecture and region to find available stores.
- Browse job listings showing shift hours, hourly wage, and job type.
- Click “Apply” and complete the detailed form.
- Once submitted, expect a phone call or email (in Japanese) to schedule your interview.
Walk-In Applications
You can also apply in person:
- Visit your nearest Lawson.
- Ask the staff if they are hiring (in Japanese).
- Submit a printed résumé (rirekisho) with a photo.
- Some store managers may offer immediate interviews.
Interview and Onboarding Experience
To find jobs at Lawson Convenience, you must go through a Japanese-only interview process.
Interviews focus on your reason for applying, availability and shift flexibility, and past experience or training (optional).
Language ability and communication are essential.
Sample questions:「なぜローソンで働きたいですか？」「どのくらい日本に住んでいますか？」
Onboarding and Training
It provides step-by-step guidance through training shifts with experienced staff and Multilingual POS systems (Chinese, English, and Vietnamese supported).
Uniforms and printed manuals make Lawson beginner-friendly, especially in urban stores with other foreign staff.
Lawson vs the Competition
Each brand offers similar entry-level roles but differs in language expectations, training, and accessibility for non-Japanese speakers.
| Feature | Lawson | FamilyMart | Seicomart | Daily Yamazaki |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Method | Online (by prefecture) | Online / in-store | In-store / region-specific | In-store |
| Multilingual POS | Yes (EN, CN, VI) | Yes (EN, TL, CN) | Rarely multilingual | Basic Japanese only |
| Training Support | Structured, multilingual | Structured, Japanese only | Localized | Minimal |
| Foreign Staff Friendliness | High in cities | High across Japan | Rare outside Hokkaido | Low |
| Language Requirement | JLPT N3 or conversational | JLPT N3 recommended | JLPT N2 preferred | JLPT N2–N1 |
| Shift Flexibility | Strong (night, weekend) | Strong | Average | Limited (mostly day) |
| Hourly Pay (varies by region) | ¥1,050–¥1,250 | ¥1,050–¥1,250 | ¥960–¥1,100 | ¥960–¥1,150 |
| Urban Store Density | High | High | Low (Hokkaido-focused) | Low to moderate |
Lawson stands out for its structured online application system, supportive training, and POS systems with language options.
FamilyMart balances well between Lawson and 7-Eleven, with flexible hiring and some multilingual systems.
Seicomart is regional, mainly found in Hokkaido, and caters primarily to locals with minimal foreign hiring.
Daily Yamazaki typically requires higher Japanese skills (JLPT N2–N1) and rarely hires non-natives due to minimal training support.
Pros and Cons of Working at Lawson
Pros
- Easy online application by region
- Multilingual POS reduces stress for new staff
- Flexible hours and part-time options
- Good entry point for improving Japanese
- High number of foreign-friendly stores
Cons
- Interviews and calls are in Japanese only
- Store experience varies depending on the owner
- Wages may be slightly lower in rural areas
- Limited English on some web pages
Final Thoughts: Find Jobs at Lawson Convenience
Lawson provides a structured, supportive environment for foreigners seeking retail work in Japan.
With thousands of stores, clear job roles, and multilingual tools, it’s a good starting point for those aiming to improve their language skills while earning an income.
If you’re ready to work hard and communicate in Japanese, Lawson may be your best path into Japan’s convenience store workforce.
