Convenience stores in Japan have kept their doors open throughout the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, using plastic sheets at the cash register and queuing stickers on the floor to keep staff and shoppers safely distanced. Businesses in Japan have started adjusting to the new normal, whether it's using holographic touch screens or limiting the number of customers to encourage social distancing. Japan’s quintessential convenience store chain, 7-Eleven, is taking an extra step by installing semi-self checkouts in all stores nationwide, with the rollout expected to finish by August 2021.
Unlike full self-service checkout, the staff will still be scanning each item, but instead of handing your cash or credit card directly to them, you’ll confirm your total amount on the touch screen and insert cash directly into the machine. The machines are already in use in many supermarkets and other shops in Japan as a way of keeping cash handling to a minimum, and (hopefully) speeding up the payment process – not to mention helping with social distancing.
Remember to check our guide to staying safe while you’re out in Tokyo.
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