Japan Post and Mitsukoshi in talks to form joint delivery service firm

Japan Post and department store chain Mitsukoshi Ltd. are in talks to reach an agreement within this month on their formation of a joint delivery service company, informed sources said Thursday.

Ahead of its privatization starting in October 2007, Japan Post has been enhancing its delivery and other logistical services. It has acquired Asocia Corp., a logistical service unit of Daimaru Inc., another department store chain.

Some private-sector entities have criticized Japan Post for affecting private-sector services by expanding services while remaining under state control.

Japan Post and Mitsukoshi are planning the joint venture to handle packaging and delivery of goods and offer a new service of attaching senders’ messages to Mitsukoshi goods for gifts, the sources said.