Lawson CEO Sadanobu Takemasu to Give Keynote Speech at CEATEC JAPAN 2018

July 31, 2018

The CEATEC JAPAN Executive Board – consisting of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association, the Communications and Information Network Association of Japan, and the Computer Software Association of Japan – has announced that CEATEC JAPAN 2018 will feature a keynote speech given by Lawson CEO Sadanobu Takemasu on October 16. The topic will be “Lawson’s Futuristic Digital Convenience Store Concept Emphasizing Hospitality”. CEATEC JAPAN 2018 is a comprehensive exhibition bringing together innovative CPS/IoT technologies from a wide range of businesses and industries. It will be held from October 16 (Tuesday) to 19 (Friday) at Makuhari Messe in Mihama-ku, Chiba-city.



As CEATEC JAPAN continues to evolve from a consumer electronics trade fair to a comprehensive CPS/IoT exhibition, 2018 will see sweeping improvements to the conference sessions that symbolize how this event brings together numerous industries. When Mr. Takemasu takes the podium, it will be the first time in the exhibition’s history for CEATEC JAPAN to feature a keynote speech from a business leader in the distribution industry.

Regarding his keynote speech, Mr. Takemasu has said “Our company manages approximately 14,500 outlets throughout Japan under the corporate philosophy of Creating Happiness and Harmony in Our Communities. I will present an image of the future Lawson convenience store that prioritizes hospitality. Please stay tuned.”

Mr. Takemasu became Vice President of Lawson in May 2014. He had previously worked for Mitsubishi Corporation, starting in 1993 and serving in various positions – in the livestock department, in dispatch for Indiana Packers Corporation in the US, in the advertising department, and as the President’s secretary. Mr. Takemasu became the CEO of Lawson in June 2016. He has since begun building the next generation of convenience stores to address such issues as Japan’s aging population and societal changes brought about by the digital revolution. He is also responsible for new initiatives designed to transform employee work styles and promote worker health.

His keynote speech will be part of the “CEATEC Keynote Special” series in which business leaders from various industries take the podium. His address will start at 2:00pm on October 16 (Tuesday) in the Makuhari Messe International Conference Hall. From August 10 (Friday) it will be possible to make reservations online for most of the conferences, including the keynote speeches, held during the exhibition period using the CEATEC JAPAN official website (http://www.ceatec.com/).