“We Want Fair Competition”: Yamato Criticizes Japan Post in Ad

)–“We want fair competition,” Yamato Transport Co. said in a full-page opinion advertising published on the nation’s 38 newspapers Thursday, criticizing Japan Post, a public corporation, for its plan to join hands with a major convenience store chain in the parcel delivery service.

Yamato Transport, known for its “Kuroneko Yamato” parcel delivery service with a logo of black cats, earlier this month lost an important business contract with the convenience store chain, Lawson Inc. , because of Japan Post.

Lawson on Aug. 17 notified Yamato Transport of the cancellation of its contract with Yamato Transport, as it decided to start handling parcels on behalf of Japan Post nationwide in mid-November.

Japan Post’s entry into direct competition with the private sector in the parcel delivery field is unfair because Japan Post profits from postal services, which it monopolizes. Further more, Japan Post receives various tax benefits that are not applicable to private companies, Yamato Transport criticized in the ad.

“Private-sector transport firms have strived to create a network to deliver parcels to every household nationwide, expanding the parcel delivery market to what it is at present. Japan Post is now intruding into the market through its contract with Lawson.” “Do you call it a fair play?” Yamato Transport asked.

Yamato Transport will publish the same ad on 16 newspapers on Friday.