Like most developed nations, Japan has thousands of convenience stores, many of which are open 24 hours a day, year-round. Because it is extremely expensive to run the heat, lights and refrigerators around the clock, shop owners throughout Japan have developed innovative ways to save money and energy.

One store saves up a mountain of snow in the wintertime to provide energy to the air-conditioning system in the summer. Other alternative energy innovations include using storage batteries, light ducts and solar panels. One important result of this move towards renewable energy is that in the case of a natural disaster, these convenience stores could provide a lifeline to the population. So even if  power outages affect an entire city, the stores could remain lit-up and open, providing peace of mind and necessities to the community.

Truong Duy