Notes
trillion 一兆;
retail industry 小売業;

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Japan’s first convenience store opened in 1969 in Toyonaka, Osaka. Today, the market is dominated by Seven-Eleven Japan Co., FamilyMart Co., and Lawson, Inc., which together control about 90% of the sector. Convenience stores in Japan are self-service and range in size from 30 to 250 square meters. As of 2022, there were 56,232 convenience stores in Japan, generating sales of nearly ¥12.2 trillion. The shift from traditional department stores to convenience stores and shopping malls began after the early 1990s economic downturn. Recently, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce has become increasingly prominent in Japan’s retail industry.
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Notes:
ancestor: 祖先 (そせん)
grave: 墓 (はか)
incense: 香 (こう)
altar: 祭壇 (さいだん)
cemetery: 墓地 (ぼち)

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In different cultures around the world, similar traditions exist to remember and honor ancestors, much like Japan’s Obon festival in August. In China, there’s the Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, usually in April. Families visit the graves of their ancestors to clean the tombs, offer food, and burn incense.

In Mexico, there’s the famous “Día de los Muertos” or “Day of the Dead” in early November. Families create altars with photos, foods, and items loved by those who have passed away, celebrating their lives with music and festivities.

In the United States and England, while there isn’t a specific festival like Obon, Memorial Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in the U.K. are days to honor those who have died, particularly in military service. People visit cemeteries, lay wreaths, and hold memorial services.

Each of these traditions, from Obon to Memorial Day, reflects a universal desire to connect with and remember our ancestors, showing respect and love across different cultures.
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