Japanese post offices set to sell envelopes
The Asahi Shimbun The Postal Services Agency says it will begin selling envelopes at post offices in and around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in April
The move is aimed at boosting the profitability of the postal mail business, which will be transferred to a new public postal corporation to be established on April 1The agency had refrained from selling mail-related goods at post offices, citing a desire to steer clear of criticism it was muscling in on the business of stationery shops and other private businesses
The agency decided to reverse its policy to help the new independent corporation make up for lost governmental support when it takes over the money-losing postal mail business
The agency is also considering sales of pens and letter pads at post offices
About 3,000 post offices in the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya regions will begin selling envelopes on a one-year trial basis. If all goes well, the agency plans to expand sales to about 25,000 post offices nationwide
Prices will be set roughly according to market prices: 100 yen for a pack of 10 Japanese-style envelopes measuring 23.5 centimeters by 12 cm, and 150 to 200 yen for a pack of 10 Western-style envelopes measuring 11.4 cm by 16.2 cm
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