Japan Post to start frozen goods parcel delivery service

Japan Post aims to start a parcel delivery service for frozen goods to catch up with private-sector rivals such as Yamato Transport Co. and Sagawa Express Co., informed sources said Monday.

Japan Post hopes to start the service throughout Japan as early as Nov. 1 after obtaining approval of the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, the sources said.

The new service will add to the current parcel service which includes delivery of chilled goods.

Japan Post will newly introduce freezing equipment and containers at key post offices and on home delivery vehicles. As for transportation between regions, Japan Post plans to commission the operations to food makers and transportation service companies, according to the sources.

Since its foundation in 2003, the state-owned corporation has reinforced its parcel delivery service mainly through tie-ups with retailers.

Its partner convenience stores now accept parcel delivery orders to Japan Post at their store counters, while other retailers commission distribution and transportation of their goods to Japan Post.

Japan Post now hopes to begin the frozen goods delivery service to increase its competitiveness further ahead of the start of its 10-year privatization process in October 2007, the sources said.