JoyfulSun
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedJoyfulSun was a supermarket chain in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, founded in 1959 and absorbed into AEON Kyushu in 2026.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
JoyfulSun (ジョイフルサン) was a Japanese supermarket chain based in Nagasaki Prefecture. Its origins trace to 1959, when Asahi Store opened its first outlet, Asahi Store Sumiyoshi, in Nagasaki City. Over the following decades the business expanded within Nagasaki Prefecture, operating under various names before adopting the JoyfulSun brand in 1989. At its peak it ran 13 stores in the prefecture, but intensifying competition from local chains such as Marukyo and national retailers like Seiyu and Daiei pushed the company into financial difficulties. In 2016, reconstruction support was announced by Anabuki Kosan, and the business was transferred to a new entity, JoyfulSun Alpha Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Anabuki Kosan Kyushu. Under Anabuki ownership, JoyfulSun pursued new formats, including an unmanned supermarket called FaceMart in 2019, an online grocery service in 2020, and a catering business in 2022. In July 2025, the company became a subsidiary of AEON Kyushu and was renamed JoyfulSun Co., Ltd. (second generation). It began carrying AEON's Topvalu private brand in October 2025. On March 1, 2026, JoyfulSun was absorbed into AEON Kyushu and dissolved. Its remaining stores were integrated into AEON Kyushu's store network, with several converted to the MaxValu banner. The JoyfulSun trade name was slated to disappear as stores were rebranded.
History
JoyfulSun's history began in September 1959 with the establishment of Asahi Store Co., Ltd. and the opening of Asahi Store Sumiyoshi in Nagasaki City. In February 1971, the company changed its name to Asahi Co., Ltd. and shifted to real estate management, while a new Asahi Store Co., Ltd. was established (later renamed JoyfulSun Shopping Plaza). In September 1972, Asahi Shoppers Plaza Co., Ltd. was founded (later renamed JoyfulSun Store). On July 1, 1973, it entered a franchise contract with Daiei. In September 1982, the JoyfulSun Egawa main store opened. In February 1989, the company changed its name to JoyfulSun Co., Ltd. (first generation). In August 1995, a fresh food processing center was opened in Takada-go, Nagayo Town. In June 2016, JoyfulSun Shopping Plaza and JoyfulSun Store were absorbed. In September 2016, the business was transferred to JoyfulSun Alpha Co., Ltd., and the old company was renamed JS Seiri Co., Ltd., then dissolved in November 2016. The second-generation company, JoyfulSun Alpha Co., Ltd., was established in May 2016 with investment from Anabuki Kosan Kyushu. In August 2016, its headquarters moved to Nameshi, Nagasaki City. In September 2016, it inherited the business from the first-generation JoyfulSun. In July 2019, JoyfulSun Sumiyoshi store opened. In August 2019, an unmanned supermarket called FaceMart opened in a condominium in Nagasaki City. In October 2019, it took over the business of Mama no Center Co., Ltd. In May 2020, it launched the online grocery service Waku Waku Odoke JoyfulSun Bin. In March 2021, the headquarters moved to Egawa-machi, Nagasaki City. In April 2022, it started the catering business Iroriya. In October 2023, the last Mama no Center store, Togitsu, was rebranded, unifying the trade name to JoyfulSun. In December 2023, it began supplying food to Sasebo Tamaya department store in Sasebo City, expanding into the northern prefecture. In September 2024, the Sasebo Tamaya store closed, withdrawing from the northern area. In July 2025, following a share transfer, the parent company became AEON Kyushu Co., Ltd., and the company was renamed JoyfulSun Co., Ltd. (second generation). On October 1, 2025, it began handling AEON's private brand Topvalu. On November 22, 2025, the Motohara store was transferred to AEON Kyushu and reopened as MaxValu. On January 25, 2026, the Shindai工町 Fun Square store temporarily closed for renovation and system changes, ending operations as JoyfulSun. On January 29, 2026, it reopened as MaxValu under AEON Kyushu. On March 1, 2026, JoyfulSun was absorbed into AEON Kyushu and dissolved. The day before, February 28, 2026, the Yamazato daily goods store closed. The remaining seven JoyfulSun stores were taken over by AEON Kyushu. Subsequently, one store closed for relocation to a nearby MaxValu, and four stores were converted to MaxValu through renovations, leaving two stores. The JOY CA card, an electronic money-integrated point card issued during the Anabuki era, was phased out: new applications ended in October 2025, electronic money charging ended on December 9, 2025, point accrual ended at the end of December 2025, and usage ended sequentially from January to February 2026. After system replacement, AEON Group payment methods such as WAON, iD, QUICPay, and transit IC cards became available, along with AEON Pay and WAON POINT.
- 2026
Absorbed into AEON Kyushu and dissolved; stores integrated or converted to MaxValu.
- 2025
Becomes subsidiary of AEON Kyushu; renamed JoyfulSun Co., Ltd. (second generation); begins handling Topvalu.
- 2024
Sasebo Tamaya store closes; withdrawal from northern area.
- 2023
Trade name unified to JoyfulSun; partnership with Sasebo Tamaya begins.
- 2022
Catering business Iroriya started.
- 2020
Online grocery service Waku Waku Odoke JoyfulSun Bin launched.
- 2019
Unmanned supermarket FaceMart opens; Mama no Center business inherited.
- 2016
Business transferred to JoyfulSun Alpha Co., Ltd.; old company renamed and dissolved.
- 1995
Fresh food processing center opens in Nagayo Town.
- 1989
Company renamed JoyfulSun Co., Ltd. (first generation).
Products and positioning
Regional supermarket chain serving Nagasaki Prefecture, later integrated into AEON Kyushu's network.
Groceries and fresh food
Topvalu private brand products
JOY CA card (electronic money point card)
Sources2 sources
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