Overview
- On Nov. 7, the transport ministry decided to add doorstep drop-off, known as 置き配, to the list of standard parcel services, marking a shift from face-to-face receipt as the default.
- An expert panel published its report as the ministry moves to update national rules that recognize multiple receipt options such as parcel lockers and doorstep delivery.
- Officials plan operational guidance to address theft, damage and privacy risks and to reduce disputes between carriers and customers.
- The panel’s report did not adopt a proposal to allow additional charges for redeliveries, keeping current fee practices in place.
- The policy targets efficiency as parcel volumes approach 5 billion in FY2024, with a private estimate warning of roughly a 40% regional transport capacity shortfall by 2030.