JAPAN / EXPLAINER

Japan's parcel firms test drop-off lockers, as social change increases the costs and reduces the appeal of face-to-face deliveries

A man uses a touch panel that controls drop-off lockers operated by Packcity Japan Co., at a Life supermarket in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward last week. | SATOKO KAWASAKI

By Kazuaki Nagata
Staff Writer

Jan 15, 2018

The timely and secure delivery of packages through face-to-face services has long been a source of pride for Japanese couriers.

But times have changed. With more women and seniors working and single-person households increasing, face-to-face deliveries to the home are proving more difficult.

The rise of online shopping and the labor shortage have also made it harder for delivery services to handle everything through home deliveries.

Japan's parcel firms test drop-off lockers, as social change increases the costs and reduces the appeal of face-to-face deliveries

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