7-Eleven Reopens in Heart of Japanese Disaster Zone
By: Anthony Adragna
Published: May 16, 2011

Slightly two months after a earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated the Miyagi prefecture in Japan, a small 7-Eleven convenience store reopened along the side of a road.  Inventory is obviously limited, but a small refrigerated truck keeps the items cool during the day. Cardboard boxes, a small table and a small tent provide the shelter for the checkout stand. Family and friends helped Takashi Watanabe get his store operational again after the tsunami. 
When the tsunami hit, the original 7-eleven was swept away but Watanabe hopes to rebuild. Right now, though, his store remains open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.