Toshifumi Suzuki, the former chairman of Seven-Eleven Japan who developed the American convenience store concept into a Japanese model and spread it worldwide, has passed away. He was 93.
Japanese media reported on the 25th that the former chairman passed away from heart failure on the 18th of this month. After graduating from Chuo University's School of Economics, Suzuki joined retailer Ito-Yokado in 1963 at the request of its founder, Masatoshi Ito. He discovered the American convenience store chain Seven-Eleven, introduced it to Japan, and grew it into a major business, earning him the nickname "the god of convenience stores." He took office as president and CEO of Seven-Eleven Japan in December 1978, became group chairman in September 2005, and stepped down in 2016.
