The transport ministry will help build a unified system to allow delivery workers to temporarily open automatic locks at condominiums to drop off parcels at recipients' doors, officials said Tuesday.

Currently, parcel delivery companies use their own unlocking systems under agreements with condominium management associations. The ministry will decide specific measures to help create a common system as early as this month, aiming to implement them in fiscal 2026, which starts next April.

Transport minister Hiromasa Nakano said at a news conference that security issues will be considered as the framework is developed.

The proposed system "would not allow delivery workers to freely unlock automatic locks," he said. "We'll listen to the public as we carefully consider (the system)."

Parcel delivery companies like Yamato Transport and Sagawa Express allow delivery workers to open condominium self-locking systems by entering a one-off code written on a delivery slip, ministry officials said.

Management associations for more than 20,000 condominiums across Japan have unlocking agreements with parcel delivery companies. The unified system would allow delivery staff to temporarily open automatic locks at condominiums that have such agreements with different companies.