Japan’s declining population is making it harder for businesses to stay running. The latest victim: a cell phone store on an Okinawan island that residents say was more than just a cell phone store.
Not just a Docomo store
NTT Docomo, Japan’s largest cell phone carrier, announced that it will be closing its Yaeyama store on the island of Ishigakijima on June 30th.
It’s not just a Docomo store, though: it’s the southernmost Docomo store in all of Japan. Additionally, it’s Ishigakijima’s only Docomo store.

Ishigakijama, in Okinawa Prefecture, is part of the Yaeyama Archipelago. The island of barely 50,000 people, which lies closer to Taiwan than to any of the main Japanese islands, boasts a year-round average temperature of 24.3 degrees Celsius and boasts a beautiful coastline
In other words, it’s an idyllic place to visit or even live. Unless, it seems, you need help with your cell phone.
Planning a trip to Japan? Get an authentic, interpreted experience from Unseen Japan Tours and see a side of the country others miss!

"Noah [at Unseen Japan] put together an itinerary that didn’t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall, he made our Japan trip an experience not to forget." - Kate and Simon S., Australia


Want more news and views from Japan? Donate $5/month ($60 one-time donation) to the Unseen Japan Journalism Fund to join Unseen Japan Insider. You'll get our Insider newsletter with more news and deep dives, a chance to get your burning Japan questions answered, and a voice in our future editorial direction.

Stay connected while in Japan with an eSim from our partners at Inbound Platform. Get fast and unlimited 5G data, access across 99% of the country, and excellent English language customer service. No chip to install - just download into your phone and use as soon as you land! (Affiliate link)

Get the white-glove treatment with a luxury ride from the airport – Haneda, Narita, or Osaka (KIX) – with Inbound Platform’s taxi service. Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport. If there are issues, you can depend on their highly-rated English language customer support. (Affiliate link)

Want to speak better Japanese before your trip to Japan? Or just for fun? Use Preply to connect with a native speaker and practice, no matter where you are in the world. Improve your Japanese while also making new friends and learning about Japanese culture and history. (Affiliate link)
The loss is a blow to the community, as the Yaeyama store does more than just help people choose the most effective cell phone plan. According to LiveDoor News, shop staff hold events where they regularly help residents with digital-age tasks, such as taking photos and using messaging apps like LINE. Local police also say the store has been instrumental in helping protect older citizens from crooks running fraud schemes.
Docomo says it’s closed the store because it simply can’t keep it staffed. However, it says it won’t leave locals in a lurch and will announce a plan for how its Ishigakijima customers can continue to get assistance.
Dwindling population poses staffing problems countrywide

Japan’s rapidly dwindling and aging population continues to pose challenges for Japanese businesses. Many stores continue to operate at diminished capacity post-pandemic due to a lack of workers. Traditional shops, such as family ramen businesses, are finding it difficult to pass on their legacies, with many stores closing due to the lack of an heir.
Politicians in Japan are floating various proposals to reverse the country’s population decline, including free school lunches and giving families cash. At least one politician, Miyagi Prefecture governor Murai Yoshihiro, has suggested easing the country’s strict immigration policies to allow more foreign workers.
What to read next
Hajichi: The Banned Traditional Tattoos of Okinawa
Sources
石垣島唯一のドコモショップ閉店へ 地域に貢献、特殊詐欺被害防いだ功績も. LiveDoor News