Japanese convenience store giant Lawson is expanding its offering of frozen rice balls, also known as Onigiri, nationwide. Originally been a limited item only, the frozen Onigiri has gained popular attention, prompting the convenience chain to make this product available across the country. The move comes as Lawson continues to push innovation within the convenience store market to meet the evolving dietary needs of Japanese consumers.

Convenience stores, known as konbini, have a significant presence in Japan. These stores offer a wide variety of goods, including fresh food, that cater to the country's work-centric lifestyle. Lawson's new move is of interest to the public as it targets the demand for easy-to-prepare, quality food items. Frozen Onigiri specifically aligns with the traditional Japanese preference for rice-based meals, further highlighting the cultural significance of this product launch.

In the U.S. and EU, convenience stores are more known for snack foods and beverages rather than full meals. The move by Lawson mirrors the increasing demand globally for healthier and diverse pre-packaged food, and might inspire similar innovations in these regions.