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There is a growing demand for the distribution of goods in small and light
packages. Although the demand for freight transport has leveled off, sales of
domestic freight distribution services are rising in parallel with the nation's
economic growth.
One of the reasons for increased sales is that the distribution of goods
with greater transport costs, such as machinery and metal products is expanding
at a high pace. Another reason is that the share of trucks with greater added
value per tonnage-kilometer is rising. (Fig.
18)
Public needs for the distribution of goods are changing from quantitative
expansion to qualitative development. In response to this change, the freight
distribution industry has begun to offer the following new services:
(1) Improvements in transport service
①Of particular note is the development of "takuhaibin" (a small parcel delivery
service from door to door) and a trunk-room service, both offered to consumers.
(i) The number of items handled by the "takuhaibin" service during fiscal
1984 totaled approximately 384,900,000, a sharp increase of about 40% over the
previous fiscal year. The "takuhaibin" agencies have offered a variety of services,
such as the transport of golf and ski equipment to and from resorts, and the
delivery of local specialties directly from producing centers. (Fig.
19)
(ii) The trunck-room service, which keeps small-size, personal properties
in custody, is spreading rapidly mainly in the metropolitan area.
②As transport services for business firms, joint transport and international
multimodal transport deserve attention. The international multimodal transport
is a system in which one transport agent carries goods from one country to anther
by combining various types of transportation. This system is expected to play
a vital role in meeting shippers' high-level needs, as well as in activating
the freight distribution industry, including shipping companies and freight
forwarders. It is an important task for the Ministry of Transport to help develop
this type of service.
(2) Total freight distribution service
Since the quantitative flow of goods remains stagnant, freight distribution
agencies are beginning to offer what may be called a total service which includes
packing, simple assembling and labeling. This type of service is expected to
enhance added value in freight distribution activities and help revitalize the
freight distribution industry. It is necessary for the Ministry of Transport
to support this type of service.
(3) Transport industry branching out into other fields
Businesses which sell goods by means of catalogues and newspaper advertising
are growing throughout the country. As shown by the delivery of local specialties
directly from producing centers, major trucking companies, which provide "takuhaibin"
services, are eager to branch out into other fields.
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