Japan's 7-Eleven will replace the leader while a company is considering changing its 24-hour policy

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan's leading retail group, Seven & I Holdings Co Ltd, has announced that it is replacing the head of its 7-Eleven convenience store business.

Fumihiko Nagamatsu, vice president of Seven-Eleven Japan, will replace President Kazuki Furuya, the company said Thursday.

The company was pressured to change, as a result of complaints from franchise owners, some of whom were forced to continue working despite mbadive snowstorms or following the death of a family, attracted The country's attention.

The company's franchise system has mitigated the effects of Japan's smallest labor market for 40 years, with store owners about to pay wages after paying royalties.

The group announced a 5% increase in its operating profit for the year ended February, driven by growth in the convenience store business, although its growth outlook of 2% for the current year are slightly below market expectations.

In response to store owners' criticisms and recent calls for change from politicians, the company recently began testing shorter schedules in 10 of its more than 20,700 stores.

The 7-Eleven chain, originally from the United States, but now owned by Japan, has been growing since the 1970s. Its 24-hour accessibility is perfectly suited to densely populated Japan and its culture night work.

Analysts said more radical changes may be needed as the population ages.

Rival FamilyMart UNY Holdings Co Ltd announced earlier this week its partnership with Panasonic Corp. to incorporate a range of work-saving technologies.