Toshifumi Suzuki, the Japanese businessman credited with building the global 7-Eleven convenience store empire, has died at the age of 93.
Suzuki, honorary adviser to Seven & i Holdings, died of heart failure at his home in Tokyo on May 18, the company announced Monday.
He was best known for establishing Japan’s hugely popular 7-Eleven convenience store business, known locally as “conbini.” The stores became an essential part of daily life in Japan, offering quick meals, drinks, snacks and services such as ATM access, utility bill payments and document copying.
Today, 7-Eleven operates more than 80,000 stores worldwide and remains Japan’s largest convenience store chain.
The business began in Japan in 1973 through a franchise agreement with the American 7-Eleven chain. The first Japanese outlet opened a year later.
When the U.S.-based Southland Corp., the original founder of 7-Eleven, faced financial trouble in the 1990s, the Japanese company bought a majority stake. In 2005, the American business became a fully owned subsidiary of Seven & i Holdings.
In recent years, Canadian retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard, which operates the Circle K convenience store chain, attempted to acquire Seven & i Holdings. However, the company withdrew its takeover effort in 2024, citing difficulties in negotiations.
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1932, Suzuki graduated from Chuo University in Tokyo.
Before entering the convenience store business, he worked at Ito-Yokado, a major Japanese retail chain also owned by Seven & i Holdings.
During his long career, Suzuki expanded the company’s business by adding banking services and overseeing the acquisition of Barney’s Japan in 2015. The group also brought department store chains Sogo and Seibu under its umbrella.
Suzuki became president of 7-Eleven Japan in 1978 and was widely credited with changing shopping habits in Japan. Convenience stores in the country later became leaders in adopting modern retail technology.
The company said funeral services are being held privately with family members. It also requested that no flowers or condolence gifts be sent. A public memorial service will be announced later.
Suzuki is survived by his wife and two children.