Former Seven-Eleven store owner sues firm over contract termination

A former Seven-Eleven Japan Co. franchisee, who spearheaded a campaign among the nation's convenience store owners for shorter opening hours, went to court on Wednesday, demanding that his terminated contract be reinstated.Mitoshi Matsumoto drew widespread attention in February last year when he began closing his franchise store in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture, in the early morning hours without company approval, citing a chronic labor shortage. At the time, Seven-Eleven required its stores to operate 24/7.Matsumoto, 58, filed the suit against the company with the Osaka District Court fol…READ FULL ARTICLE