Toshifumi Suzuki, 'father' of Japan convenience stores, dies at 93

Suzuki is known for opening the first 7-Eleven store in Japan in 1974 and growing the business into the world's largest convenience store chain.

25 May 2026 01:31pm
Former chairman of Seven & i Holdings Toshifumi Suzuki (C), credited for the global success of 7-Eleven convenience stores, has died at the age of 93. - (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP)
Former chairman of Seven & i Holdings Toshifumi Suzuki (C), credited for the global success of 7-Eleven convenience stores, has died at the age of 93. - (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP)

TOKYO - Former chairman of Seven & i Holdings Toshifumi Suzuki, credited for the global success of 7-Eleven convenience stores, has died at the age of 93, the company said Monday.

Suzuki "passed away due to heart failure on May 18," the company said in a statement, adding: "We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the kindness shown to him during his lifetime and respectfully inform you of his passing."

Suzuki is known for opening the first 7-Eleven store in Japan in 1974 and growing the business into the world's largest convenience store chain, including through turning the struggling US headquarters into a subsidiary of the Japanese company and rebuilding it.

He is known as the "father of the convenience store" in Japan. - AFP

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Toshifumi Suzuki
convenience store
Japan
7 Eleven

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