Japan's Post Office Mail-delivery ops set to move into black
The public post office’s mail-delivery service is expected to move into the black for the year through March 31, after having suffered losses in the previous two years, Hiroshi Matsui, director general of the Postal Services Agency, said Friday.
“The balance sheet (for mail services) dramatically improved (in fiscal 2001),” Matsui said at a press conference.
The bullish projection was attributed to cost-cuts and revenue from profitable advertisement delivery, including direct mailings.
Mail-service revenue likely decreased by 20 billion yen (US$160.98 million) in fiscal 2001, but this appears to have been offset by reductions in personnel costs, resulting in a slight profit. A projected revenue rise of more than 5 per cent from direct mailings also appears to have contributed to higher earnings.
Matsui added that the agency is considering eliminating deficit-ridden express mail-delivery services, particularly one that competes with a private-sector firm that uses motorbikes and is unlikely to turn a profit in the foreseeable future.
