Japan Post begins privatization 'rehearsals' at post offices
Japan Post conducted “rehearsals” Saturday at about 5,500 post offices nationwide to prepare for the planned privatization of the postal system in October, checking operations at counters and customer services that are required when it is split into four business entities and a holding company.
The rehearsals covered two of the four entities — Kampo Life Insurance Co. and a post office over-the-counter services firm, with about 40,000 staff members participating.
“We want to be fully prepared so our customers will be comfortable in using our services after the privatization,” said Michie Nakane, postmaster of a post office in Tokyo’s Sumida Ward.
The post office, located near JR Kinshicho Station, checked over-the-counter services, including money transfers.
Yucho (postal savings) Bank will conduct its rehearsal next Saturday at its 238 branches nationwide and will check its computer system, while a mail service company will later do its own checks.
About 5,900 post offices were initially scheduled to participate in the rehearsals on Saturday, but those in Kagoshima, Miyazaki and Okinawa prefectures canceled the plan because of powerful typhoon Man-yi, which was approaching the Kyushu region.
The rehearsals will run through Aug. 5 at about 20,000 post offices.
Japan Post is set to start a step-by-step 10-year privatization process on Oct. 1.
