The Conbini

Conbini (maybe people spell it with a "k") is how convenience store is abbreviated in Japanese. There's a whole conbini culture here because of how many there are. When I lived in Asakusa, there were 2 in a two block radius from my apartment, and now there are 3 on my same block; they always seem to be around when you need one. There is even a blog devoted to them by a faithful expat.

Reading magazines and beating the heat. Photo inspired by JDonuts in Japan.

One interesting idea that is being kicked around by some local governments is to ask convenience stores to reduce their hours to save energy. I think it's a good idea, especially in places that don't have many customers late at night. I can see the other side of the argument though. I know I've paid bills late because my working schedule would not allow me to go to the bank.

I think it would be fair for the government to tax or have 24-hour stores buy a special permit to operate all night. That way the stores that don't really make enough during the night hours would probably rethink staying open. Unfortunately the government would waste the money after they got it anyway.