Lawson Tests Yen Stablecoin Payments Amid Japan's Growing Regulated Market

Japanese convenience-store operator Lawson is testing yen-denominated stablecoin payments at one of its Tokyo locations in August. The trial aims to integrate stablecoin payments into Japan's existing retail infrastructure, minimizing operational complexity for merchants.

The test will take place at the Lawson Takanawa Gateway City store and involves blockchain company HashPort, telecom group KDDI, and Netstars. Participants will use HashPort's non-custodial wallet, while the store processes payments through its point-of-sale system without needing to open or manage crypto wallets.

The pilot assesses integration requirements, checkout operations, payment processing times, and wallet usability before considering broader applications. This move comes as Japan's regulated stablecoin market continues to grow, with the country introducing a dedicated framework for stablecoins in June 2023.