7-Eleven omotenashi training for international staff

thomas · 16 Feb 2026

In the Kanto area and other urban areas, it is not uncommon to see foreign staff working at convenience stores. Most of them are international students. Approximately 400,000 people are working at 7-Eleven stores nationwide, including over 50,000 foreign nationals. Currently, about 300 people attend the omotenashi training annually, but as the number of foreigners increases, demand is expected to grow.

Mainichi took a closer look at how the convenience store chain prepares overseas staff:

When Seven-Eleven asked franchise owners nationwide about topics they wanted covered in foreign staff training, the most common request was basic customer service training. However, there were also strong requests for explanations of Japanese culture and guidance on language use. A survey of successful foreign employees about what they wished they had known when they started working also highlighted the importance of basic register operations, language use, greetings and Japanese customer service. In response to these requests, the omotenashi training covers grooming, smiling and greetings, the importance of punctuality, the spirit of hospitality, and the nuances of bowing, thoroughly conveying the essence of Japanese-style customer service.

Behind the scenes of Japan convenience store foreign staff training - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- Seven-Eleven Japan Co. has been conducting an

mainichi.jp

7-Eleven omotenashi training for international staff

thomas

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Behind the scenes of Japan convenience store foreign staff training - The Mainichi

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