Latest news with #YamatoTransport
Economist
02-08-2025
- Business
- Economist
Co-creation gives rise to new value paradigms
Shared freight transport may seem simple, but its impact is significant—improving logistics efficiency, working conditions and labour security as Japan's population ages and its birth rate declines. With nearly 22m people aged 75 and over in 2025, up from 17m a decade ago, the country must adopt creative solutions to its demographic shift. For Mr Nagase, innovation should solve logistics challenges for competitive advantage and support the communities they serve. At Yamato Transport, his team developed HelloLight, an IoT lightbulb monitoring service for elderly residents that alerts family members if the bulb stays on or off for 24 hours—a potential warning sign—and can dispatch couriers to carry out welfare checks. The service won a Good Design Award in 2023. What do a shared freight platform and community-focused services have in common? Both leverage existing infrastructure to maximise value for communities, the environment and logistics providers with minimal investment. 'We're always mindful of balancing social and economic value,' says Mr Nagase. 'Being Net Positive is essential to realising a better society. Beyond addressing workforce and environmental challenges, it strengthens supply chains through logistics efficiency and ultimately revitalises Japan's economy.' 'Co-creation', in which individuals and organisations across industries offer resources and insights to solve problems, will shape the future of the global economy. This idea underpins SST's efforts to dismantle logistics silos and create more streamlined, sustainable supply chains—a model of shared freight transport that transcends company boundaries. SST is putting this into practice by building a system that enables goods to move seamlessly through shared delivery networks that overcome traditional corporate and industry divisions. It exemplifies what is known as the 'physical internet', moving goods across networks as efficiently as data flows online. 'In an era of labour shortages, no single company can do everything on its own,' Mr Nagase adds. 'Optimising the use of available resources is essential.' For SST and its partners, the open platform represents a framework for resilient logistics, allowing firms to pool strengths and share data to face collective challenges.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Japan's Train Stations Become Parcel Hubs as Quadient and JR East Smart Logistics Expand Smart Locker Capabilities
Japan's Train Stations Become Parcel Hubs as Quadient and JR East Smart Logistics Expand Smart Locker Capabilities JR East commuters can now send and receive parcels through station lockers Quadient (Euronext Paris: QDT), a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections, announces the activation of parcel shipping services within JR East's 'Multi E Cube' locker network. This marks a significant milestone in its collaboration with JR East Smart Logistics Co., Ltd., the logistics subsidiary of East Japan Railway Company. JR East commuters can now conveniently send parcels from train station lockers during their daily journeys, without the need for printed labels or in person assistance. In 2024, Quadient connected 'Multi E Cube' lockers into its PUDO Station network, allowing consumers to receive Yamato Transport deliveries at train stations. With the latest update, the system now supports outbound parcel services as well. By extending the shipping functionality of the open type PUDO Station to the multifunctional Multi E Cube, users can now send parcels directly from station lockers quickly, securely, and without face-to-face interaction or shipping slips. This enhancement further boosts convenience and flexibility for commuters and everyday users. Multi E Cube lockers now support two core parcel services, receipt and shipping, along with the ability to reserve locker compartments in advance. Users no longer need to locate different lockers for different purposes. All services are accessible through a single secure unit at their nearest station. The service is available from the first to the last train at each station, with select lockers offering 24/7 access, allowing users to manage parcels on their own schedule. 'This expansion reflects our vision of building a user-centric locker network that is open, interoperable, and embedded in the fabric of everyday life,' said Benoit Berson, Chief Solution Officer, Lockers at Quadient. 'By extending our intelligent locker platform to third-party networks like JR East's, we're enabling frictionless access to parcel services in some of Japan's busiest commuter hubs. Whether picking up an order or sending a parcel, users can now manage their parcels as part of their daily routine, quickly, securely, and without disruption.' Quadient's PUDO Station network serves as a nationwide system of convenience hubs, simplifying everyday tasks and improving accessibility for communities across Japan. By providing secure, around-the-clock access to Yamato Transport parcel services, Quadient is transforming underutilized spaces into valuable service points that bring flexibility, efficiency, and convenience to where people live, work, and travel. About Quadient®Quadient is a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections through digital and physical channels. Quadient supports businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation and growth journey, unlocking operational efficiency and creating meaningful customer experiences. Listed in compartment B of Euronext Paris (QDT) and part of the CAC® Mid & Small and EnterNext® Tech 40 indices, Quadient shares are eligible for PEA-PME investing. For more information about Quadient, visit Media ContactsJoe Scolaro, QuadientGlobal Press Relations Manager+1 203-301-3673jscolaro@ Kiley Ribordy, Walker SandsSenior PR Directorquadientpr@ Attachment PR Quadient JR East Yamato shipping EN_final
The Star
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Japan Railway, logistics firms launch more luggage service options for tourists
TOKYO: More railway and logistics companies are offering luggage storage services in Japan. As this allows foreign visitors to go sightseeing and shopping without having to carry heavy bags around with them, this is expected to boost demand and alleviate congestion caused by bulky luggage taking up space on trains and at tourist spots. In May, transit system Tokyo Metro introduced the Tokyo Metlocker Plus service at Oshiage station, which is directly connected to the Tokyo Skytree, in the city's Sumida ward. The service stores luggage in lockers and delivers it to hotels by 7pm the same day if it is received by 2pm. The subway company plans to set up Metlockers at 20 stations by the end of 2025. 'The service not only improves convenience for tourists, but also helps reduce congestion on trains,' a Tokyo Metro spokesperson said. East Japan Railway and Seibu Railway have been offering similar services with their coin lockers since September 2024. Also in May 2025, delivery company Yamato Transport started a service that allows foreign visitors to drop off their souvenirs and luggage at about 40,000 locations in Japan, including convenience stores, and receive them at their homes overseas. The service makes use of smartphones to simplify tasks such as writing addresses and handles the Customs procedures on the visitors' behalf. It is currently available for addresses in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, with plans to expand to Taiwan and elsewhere in the future. Preventing trouble With less luggage, tourists may want to shop more, while luggage-free travel would help alleviate congestion in tourist areas and on trains. Central Japan Railway, real estate company Mitsui Fudosan and transport company Sagawa Express have jointly launched a same-day delivery service of bags for guests staying at Mitsui hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, making use of vacant space on Tokaido Shinkansen bullet trains. The service is expected to prevent issues such as overhead racks filled up by large pieces of luggage, or reserved storage space being used by people who have not reserved the space. At the ongoing 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, large luggage items are prohibited. Luggage storage services alleviate congestion, with storage fees varying according to location, from ¥10,000 (S$89) per item near the expo entrance to ¥1,000 at the nearby terminal station. Expanding range of activities The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry's Kinki District Transport Bureau and others conducted an experiment in Kyoto in autumn 2023 and found that more than 90 per cent of the travellers who used temporary baggage storage at Japan Rail's Kyoto station said their range of activities expanded. A record 36,869,900 foreigners visited Japan in 2024, up 47.1 per cent year on year, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation's estimated figures. The government has set a target of 60 million visitors by 2030. 'Luggage-free tourism not only reduces the burden on travellers but also offers significant benefits to local residents, such as alleviating congestion,' said Tomomi Nagai, chief analyst for Toray Corporate Business Research and specialist in the tourism industry. 'There is still considerable room for developing new services, and more companies may seek to stand out themselves from their competitors in the future.' - The Japan News/ANN
Asahi Shimbun
11-06-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Cards help parcel delivery service customers with impaired hearing
A card shows the types of goods being sent and the way they should be handled. (Provided by Yamato Transport Co.) Help is at hand for customers who have hearing problems or difficulty speaking Japanese at Yamato Transport Co.'s parcel delivery service. The company has developed a set of 13 cards featuring text and illustrations that senders can point to while filling out a delivery form. These cards are now available at the company's 767 sales offices in Tokyo and the Kansai region. Customers who struggle to understand Japanese can choose a delivery time or specify how goods should be handled by pointing to cards with illustrations and text indicating 'Fragile' or 'This side up,' for example. The Communication Board cards are currently available with text in Japanese and English. Yamato Transport, which offers the Ta-Q-Bin home delivery service, plans to add Chinese and Korean versions as well. Yamato Transport began developing the cards last year after an employee, who wanted to ease interactions with those with hearing impairments, proposed the idea. The employee had noticed how time consuming sending a parcel was for customers who could only communicate with employees by writing messages. The company improved the cards by incorporating feedback from employees with hearing impairments and related nonprofit organizations. The cards will be available at sales offices nationwide around autumn.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mitsubishi plans battery swapping tech for electric CVs in Tokyo
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus (MFTBC), in collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors, Ample, and Yamato Transport, is set to roll out an EV battery swapping initiative in Tokyo, Japan, by September 2025. The plan includes introducing more than 150 battery-swappable commercial electric vehicles (EVs) and creating 14 modular battery swapping stations across the city. This major move towards sustainable transportation follows a smaller pilot in Kyoto last year and will feature MFTBC's eCanter light-duty truck and Mitsubishi Motors' Minicab EV, targeting commercial delivery fleets. Yamato Transport will be the first major customer, focusing on last-mile delivery applications. Ample, a US-based battery swapping company, will provide the technology for the EV platforms and will be responsible for installing and operating the swapping stations. The Tokyo Metropolitan Environment Public Corporation is backing the project through its "Technology Development Support Project for Promoting New Energy", aligning with Japan's climate goals. Japan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% from 2013 levels by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. With the transportation sector responsible for nearly 19% of the country's CO₂ emissions in 2022, commercial fleet electrification is a strategic priority for Japan's decarbonisation efforts. The consortium in Tokyo is targeting battery swapping times of just five minutes, offering a fully automated service where drivers do not need to exit their vehicles. Ample's compact and rapidly deployable stations are a practical solution for high-utilisation fleets in dense urban areas like Tokyo. Future expansions of this initiative may include grid services, such as renewable energy storage, to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative builds on previous collaborations, with Yamato Transport pioneering commercial EV battery swapping since 2022 and a successful pilot involving commercial delivery and battery swapping taxis in Kyoto in 2024. "Mitsubishi plans battery swapping tech for electric CVs in Tokyo" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
