TOKYO – Forty years ago today, the first 7-Eleven convenience store opened in Japan, marking the beginning of a national expansion of c-store outlets in the country, the Japan Times reports. Kenji Yamamoto owned the Toyosu store, which he converted to a 7-Eleven from a liquor store.

A newspaper article about a supermarket chain’s decision to bring convenience stores to Japan caught his attention, and Yamamoto wrote to the company to see about c-store opportunities. His letter spurred the chain’s head to give him the green light. “If you’re willing to start, we want to do it as soon as possible,” Yamamoto said the director told him.

For 40 years, Yamamoto has continued to have success with the original 7-Eleven location by keeping up with stock and constantly offering new products. Now, he operates five 7-Eleven outlets in the area. “There’s still a lot convenience stores can do,” said Yamamoto, adding that he wants to have his stores become agencies for local community services.

Since 1974, the top three Japanese convenience store chains—FamilyMart Co., Lawson Inc., and 7-Eleven—have continued to expand across Japan. Ryuichi Isaka, president of 7-Eleven Japan, said that convenience stores will be in demand more than ever as the population ages and more people shop on foot and by bicycle. “We are responding to the demands of the present age by accelerating store openings,” he said.