Japanese post offices to be operated like convenience stores
An over-the-counter postal services company, to be created through the privatization of state-backed Japan Post, will operate post offices like convenience stores and will offer friendly services to local people, according to proposed government legislation made available to Kyodo News on Thursday.
Post offices will offer services on behalf of a mail delivery company, issue certificates for local governments and sell tickets for events.
The government plans to privatize postal services in stages starting in April 2007 and complete the process in 2017. It envisages dividing Japan Post into four private entities — mail delivery, postal savings, life insurance and the management of nationwide post offices that provides over-the-counter services –under a holding company.
Some lawmakers, including those from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, oppose the plan.
Many are calling for mail delivery and post office management to be taken care of by one entity. They are concerned that if the post office management work alone is left to one company, it would eventually have to close offices in less profitable rural areas.
The government apparently aims to wipe out such worries by allowing various services to be provided by the post office management company.
The government has drafted the bills for submission to the current Diet session.
