Starbucks has opened its fifth Signing Store globally in Japan, located in Kunitachi City, Tokyo. The store is located in a neighbourhood with a long history as part of the deaf and hard of hearing community.
Encouraged by the passion of Starbucks’ deaf and hard of hearing partners, the new Signing Store builds on the company’s continuous commitment to connect with the diverse communities it serves and continue to find ways to create a Third Place that is welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
The store opens career opportunities for more than 19 new and existing deaf, hard of hearing, hearing partners (employees) from across Japan, and hearing partners fluent in Japanese Sign Language (JSL).
Takafumi Minaguchi, the CEO of Starbucks Coffee Japan, stated that Starbucks has been hiring deaf and hard of hearing partners (employees) since the company entered Japan in 1996, and these partners have made unbelievable impacts in their communities.
Across Japan, deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing partners studying Japanese Sign Language (JSL) have created more ideas for their customers to connect with the deaf community. They managed to do this through sign language, including signing classes at their local stores and coffee education seminars presented in sign language.
Since 2018, select Starbucks stores in Japan have hosted “Signing Activity” pilot sessions led by deaf or hard of hearing partners prepare for the opening of a full-fledged Signing Store.
Now, Starbucks employs more than 350 partners with disabilities in Japan and provides training tools, accessibility aids, and coaching services to help develop their careers and flexible work hours.
Since opening the first Signing Store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2016, Starbucks has expanded this unique store model globally, including in Washington DC, US, Guangzhou, China, and the second store in Penang, Malaysia.
