Four major convenience store chains in Japan are teaming up with a government-related body to work on expanding their businesses overseas.

FamilyMart, Lawson, Ministop and 7-Eleven Japan have formed a council with the Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro) to accelerate their establishment of branches overseas after the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) goes into effect, reports the Sankei Shimbun.

With the TPP easing restrictions on foreign distributors entering into the markets of partner countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia, the convenience stores hope to devise a system that will enable them to sell Japanese processed food products and commodities in overseas markets.

Jetro’s task will be to work with foreign governments to resolve problems and collect relevant retail information. It will also help the convenience store chains find partner companies in Asian countries.