TOKYO ?" 7-Eleven Japan Co. announced last week that it will convert in-store and signboard lights with light-emitting diode bulbs at 5,000 locations, Japan Today reports. The change will help the chain during expected power shortages in the country??s northeastern and eastern areas over the summer.

The power-saving lighting, which will save each store 125 kilowatts daily, is part of the chain??s 10 billion yen initiative to slash electricity consumption by a quarter during July to September. A thousand stores will also receive solar panels.

The Japanese government is talking about curtailing electricity use by big companies because electric companies have reduced power supply after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Other convenience store chains are implementing power-saving programs, too. Lawson, Inc., will install LED bulbs at 10,000 Japanese stores, while FamilyMart Co. has plans to slash 25 percent of its electricity usage through lowering lighting use and modifying temperature settings on heating and air conditioning units.