ＮＸ総合研究所 List of Products and Services

This time, from the perspective of us as e-learning providers, we will re-examine the merits and demerits of both group training and e-learning. The key point is that each method has clear advantages, so we will utilize those advantages and differentiate their use based on the target audience. In group training, we will focus on keywords such as "real empathy," "preparation time (lead time)," while in e-learning, we will emphasize "flexible scheduling" and "LMS," starting the discussion from group training. *For more details on the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

The trade statistics published by Japan's Ministry of Finance include trade statistics by mode of transport. This provides trade statistics information for air cargo or sea container cargo. With this statistical information, it is possible to understand whether a certain cargo is being exported or imported as air cargo or as container cargo. For example, when analyzing the current status and trends of air cargo transport as part of macro market analysis, or when analyzing the target market for air forwarding services as part of marketing research, trade statistics by mode of transport serve as a very valuable source of information. *For more details on the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

I believe that there are few people who have never used pharmaceutical products for medical purposes until now. Since pharmaceuticals often have a direct impact on the human body, high-quality handling and services are required in terms of distribution and logistics, according to the temperature, vibration, light protection, and other specifications set by pharmaceutical manufacturers for each product. To meet these requirements, it seems necessary to operate in accordance with the "Good Distribution Practice (GDP) Guidelines for Pharmaceuticals" issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Although the GDP in our country does not have legal binding force, it can be said that handling in accordance with GDP is extremely important to ensure safety and security. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

The essence of Kaizen lies in "gradually making improvements to the current situation." In contrast, the essence of innovation is "destroying existing frameworks and building new systems." For example, in the logistics industry, Kaizen is a method of gradually improving the current situation through optimizing transportation routes and enhancing efficiency in warehouse operations. The goal of Kaizen is to solve on-site problems, such as revising picking orders and reducing driver wait times, thereby increasing overall productivity. However, innovation fundamentally changes the very structure of traditional logistics, such as through the introduction of fully autonomous delivery vehicles and fully automated warehouses utilizing AI and robots. These new technologies will dramatically improve the speed of delivery and significantly reduce costs, transforming the entire logistics industry into a new form. *For more details about the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

It has been 30 years since I became involved in logistics. I have closely observed the evolution of logistics, supply chains, and related fields from both the perspective of my experience in logistics companies and my experience in business consulting. Over the past 30 years, logistics and supply chains have evolved at an accelerating pace. When I joined a logistics company as a new graduate, the operations were primarily manual (I personally gained practical experience as a charter driver for a 4-ton truck, a delivery driver for parcel collection, and a forklift operator in a warehouse). At that time, there was one computer per department rather than one per person, and operations were carried out almost entirely by hand, with forklifts being the only exception. It was a world largely untouched by automation or labor-saving technologies. *For more details about the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

Recently, I have had many opportunities to consider theoretical inventory levels in my work, so this time I will discuss theoretical inventory. It may be obvious, but inventory management plays a very important role in the operation of a business. Proper inventory management leads to cost reduction and improved customer satisfaction. In this blog, I will focus on the calculation methods for theoretical inventory, providing a perspective that complements the typical textbook materials, particularly discussing safety stock. *For more detailed content of the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

The "2024 Problem," which has been widely covered by the mass media and has become well-known to the general public, has finally arrived for those of us involved in logistics, who have been anxiously awaiting this moment. In May, in light of the 2024 Problem, two logistics laws were amended, mandating efforts to improve logistics efficiency and the clarification of contract terms related to truck transportation for shippers and logistics operators. This legal amendment is expected to promote improvements in business practices that have long hindered logistics efficiency, and as the next step after many companies have already implemented logistics efficiency measures, "cooperation between shippers and logistics operators" is anticipated. Additionally, by clarifying the contract terms related to truck transportation among the parties involved, it is expected that the requirements that the actual transportation operators have been responding to based on the requests of the receiving shippers will be improved through discussions among the main contractor, the shipping shipper, and the receiving shipper. *For more details, you can view the blog through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

The Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6) report issued by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) emphasizes that the development of sustainable transportation is a crucial element of global sustainability. This report points out the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in the transportation sector. Additionally, among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations for 2030, Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 13 (Climate Action) reiterate the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the improvement of sustainable, safe, and accessible transportation systems. Switzerland is regarded as a pioneering country in the development of sustainable public transportation systems to reduce the direct impact of emissions from transportation on the greenhouse effect. *For more details, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

NX Research Institute has over 50 consultants who conduct more than 200 research and consulting projects annually, with a track record in over 30 countries abroad. In addition to general themes such as "reducing logistics costs," "improving work efficiency," and "enhancing logistics quality," we also engage in consulting services such as "overall optimization of the supply chain" and "management support for logistics providers." Our distinctive approach is not only to make improvement proposals but also to support the execution of those improvements. In recent years, there has been an increase in consulting requests for "developing logistics strategies to realize the ideal logistics model for the future." This article will outline that overview. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more details.*

On July 12, 2024, NX Research Institute announced the latest version of its quarterly publication "Economic and Freight Transport Outlook" as "Economic and Freight Transport Outlook for FY2024 (Revised)." In this outlook, the forecast for freight transport volume for FY2024 (year-on-year growth rate) has been revised. Additionally, the fiscal period has been changed from the previous accounting year (April to March) to the NX fiscal year (January to December). In this article, similar to previous posts, we will summarize the revisions in the forecast for external trade containers and international air transport volume for FY2024 compared to the previous forecast (published in April 2024), the discrepancies with the actual figures for the January-March 2024 period, and the trends in the growth rates compared to pre-COVID (FY2019). *For more details, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further information.

Amid the logistics issues of 2024, many companies are finally taking measures. Until now, logistics-related matters could have been left to the logistics departments of manufacturers and retailers (shippers), as well as 3PL providers and logistics companies. However, moving forward, with the establishment of Chief Logistics Officers (CLOs) and the advancement of legislation, it is necessary for shippers and logistics companies to collaborate to improve the current situation. This requires not only upstream transformation but also an upgrade in the awareness, knowledge, and skills of the people working in logistics, as well as their managers and leaders. In this context, the NX Group's Nippon Express and NX Research Institute launched a project called "Logistics Academy" in June 2023, aimed at cultivating personnel who can continuously promote performance improvement in logistics centers. A year has passed, and I would like to outline the project and share my thoughts. *For more detailed information about the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more details.*

As the digitization of trade documents progresses, B/L (Bill of Lading) remains predominantly paper-based. In this blog, we will explain the reasons why the electronicization of B/L is not advancing, the benefits of eB/L (electronic Bill of Lading), and future developments. First, I would like to touch on the basic functions of B/L. A B/L is a document issued by the shipping company at the export location responsible for transporting the cargo, and it serves as "evidence of the transportation contract," "receipt of the cargo," "security," and "cargo pickup receipt," making it a very important document. *For more details, you can view the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

In many manufacturing and distribution industries, the efficient operation of logistics is a crucial factor that influences a company's competitiveness. Therefore, many companies are engaged in improvement activities aimed at achieving more efficient logistics. A commonly used framework when undertaking such improvement activities is called "ECRS." This is also referred to as the four principles of improvement, which generalizes and organizes methods for efficiency in various operations, not limited to logistics. ECRS can be considered principles that promote efficiency, and by implementing improvement measures that incorporate these elements, companies are said to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and strengthen competitiveness. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

A business manual (procedure document) is essential for standardizing operations and improving efficiency. However, creating a manual can be surprisingly challenging. It involves identifying work processes, refining the text for clarity, and designing a layout that is easy to read. Doing this amidst daily tasks can be time-consuming, and it is not uncommon for processes to be added or updated during the creation. The core reason for the difficulty lies in the fact that while identifying work processes is a challenging task, a significant amount of time is also spent on creating the "basic framework" regarding the format and structure of the manual. Once the framework is established, it can be relatively easy to fill in the details in a structured manner. Based on this idea, I would like to have AI create the "basic framework for the manual." *For more details about the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

This article provides a detailed explanation of the current state and trends of warehouse automation and automated guided vehicles around the world. We will introduce the current situation and trends in regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America, as well as examples of the implementation of automation technologies, exploring the future of automation in the logistics industry. Together, we will consider how Japanese companies should respond to these changes. This is a must-read for those who want to know about the trends in logistics industry automation. *For more details about the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.

Based on the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, the policy and operational guidelines regarding the residence status of specified skilled workers in the field of automobile transportation were established in April 2024. As a result, in addition to the 12 sectors such as nursing care, construction, and agriculture, it has become possible to accept so-called foreign workers in the truck, bus, and taxi industries as well. With the improvement of the environment for accepting foreign workers, the possibility of alleviating the currently serious labor shortage issue is expected to increase. Here, we will introduce information related to the freight automobile transportation business. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further inquiries.*

In Japan, it is said that in some industries, such as the automotive sector, there is a demand for decarbonization efforts due to requests from Tier 1 companies. Additionally, it seems that initiatives for decarbonization and information disclosure can sometimes be conditions for bidding. Furthermore, there is an increasing number of logistics services that claim to be carbon neutral. This time, I would like to share some thoughts on the reduction of greenhouse gases (hereafter referred to as "GHG") that are required in such corporate activities, particularly regarding GHG Protocol Scope 3 Category 4 and 9 (transportation, storage, and handling) related to logistics activities involved in trade (international transport) and the trading of emission rights. Here, the term "emission rights" refers to the rights to claim how much GHG emissions have been reduced compared to fossil fuels in international transport, and "emission trading" can be understood as buying and selling those rights with "ownership (property rights)." *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further inquiries.

The logistics industry is facing the 2024 issue, which may severely impact the overall operational efficiency of the industry by limiting the overtime hours of truck drivers. In response to this issue, the government has announced a "policy package for logistics innovation," aiming to optimize the operational efficiency across the industry. In light of this, 27 industry organizations have developed "voluntary action plans" based on the government's policy package to address the issue. This article analyzes the efforts of various industries to shorten transportation times, evaluates each organization's "voluntary action plan" from the author's perspective, and offers personal suggestions. *For more details, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further information.*

During my time in the IT department at my previous job, I was involved for a long period in supporting the construction of WMS (Warehouse Management System) in the customer service department. From an IT perspective, I was able to participate in many logistics center startup projects, and having experienced numerous failures, I wanted to share what I believe is important based on my overarching experiences. As we launch a new logistics center, I will outline the unsuccessful cases from the past, my own experiences, and the important lessons learned from my seniors. *The detailed content of the blog can be viewed through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*

Troubles related to the development and implementation of information systems are never-ending, regardless of logistics. Why do such troubles persist? For example, the major medical device company Terumo failed in the renewal of its logistics management system and has filed a lawsuit against its development contractor Accenture, seeking 3.8 billion yen in damages. Terumo points out two issues: that Accenture "failed to fulfill its obligation to lead the project to completion" and "violated its project management obligations," to which Accenture is responding. An analysis of the factors that led to the failure identified issues such as "lack of consistency between multiple functions," "test scenarios that do not align with business operations," and "inadequate item master data." As a result, it has become necessary to return to the basic design stage and redo the work, leading to a situation where the initial operational timeline cannot be met, resulting in the lawsuit. *For more details, please refer to the related links on the blog. Feel free to contact us for more information.

Recently, I have often seen people riding bicycles in Tokyo wearing helmets. This is largely due to a partial revision of the Road Traffic Act (promulgated on April 27, 2022, and enforced on April 1, 2023), which imposes an obligation on all bicycle users to make efforts to wear helmets while riding. It is understood that in areas where many students commute by bicycle, local governments and schools have already mandated helmet use through regulations, so this is not particularly noteworthy. However, in my living area, the connection between bicycles and helmets has not been very strong, which made it feel somewhat fresh to me, prompting me to bring it up. *For more details about the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

Our country is facing the "2024 problem," which raises concerns about the stagnation of logistics. In June 2023, the Japanese government's relevant ministerial meeting announced a "policy package for logistics innovation," which includes "reducing logistics burdens between shippers and logistics operators" as a measure. It calls for not only transportation operators but also shippers and primary contractors to understand and improve the time related to waiting for cargo and loading/unloading operations. Let's address the 2024 problem by utilizing DX (digital transformation) to understand our own transportation and delivery realities. *For more details, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further information.*

In April 2024, NX Research Institute published the "Reiwa Edition Logistics Guidebook (Overview, Physical, Digital)" as an eBook on Kindle. It incorporates more realistic content on themes where our company has expertise, summarizing the essential foundational information that should be understood for those themes. Additionally, to encourage many people to engage with logistics casually, we aimed to keep it concise and as short as possible, avoiding a thick book. The content covers a range suitable for beginners to practitioners, so there is no need to read everything comprehensively; we hope you will look through the topics that interest you. 【Features】 <Overview> ■ Explains a wide range of themes from a logistics perspective. <Physical> ■ Contains the most realistic and practical content among the three sections. <Digital> ■ Allows you to learn about the ever-evolving logistics DX from scratch. *For more details, please refer to the related links or feel free to contact us.

In the logistics 2024 problem, issues related to long-distance transportation and logistics centers, as well as the problem of missed deliveries in the last mile of parcel delivery, are often discussed. In this blog, we will take a slightly different perspective and introduce an example of the impact of last mile logistics, or "in-house logistics," in large facilities such as offices and commercial spaces, which could also be a factor in the 2024 problem in urban areas. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

The patent system is a system that allows one to obtain exclusive rights in exchange for disclosing inventions. By analyzing the contents of published patent applications, one can grasp the trends in technological development within the industry. In this article, we would like to examine the technological trends and potential applications of artificial intelligence in the logistics field by extracting applications related to artificial intelligence from the patent database. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

On June 3rd, we held a seminar for Chief Logistics Officers (CLO) co-hosted by our NX Research Institute and Nippon Express Co., Ltd., with approximately 800 participants. First of all, I would like to express my gratitude. On the other hand, at that time, due to communication issues, the audio was very difficult to hear, and I sincerely apologize on behalf of the organizers for the significant inconvenience and trouble caused to everyone who participated remotely. The seminar started with my opening remarks, but it seems that the communication situation was the worst at that time, so I would like to provide a brief explanation of that part and share what I personally learned from the seminar. *Details of the blog can be viewed through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*

The "Comprehensive Logistics Policy Outline (2021-2025)," which is the foundation of Japan's current logistics policy, states that "thorough optimization of the entire supply chain through the promotion of logistics DX and logistics standardization (achieving simple and smooth logistics)" is the first pillar. However, according to the 2023 DX White Paper, the actual status of DX initiatives in the logistics industry is less than 20%, which is low compared to other industries. Additionally, a survey conducted in March 2021 found that over 60% of logistics operators do not plan to pursue DX initiatives in the future. Why is that? *For more details, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

Recently, I have often seen content on the internet and elsewhere focused on securing funds for retirement. It seems that many conclusions emphasize "working as long as possible" as a fundamental strategy for securing retirement funds. The reasons for elderly people continuing to work in society are not solely for the purpose of maintaining their livelihood. I believe there are various personal reasons such as "working is good for health," "it prevents aging," "the work itself is interesting," and "it allows them to utilize their knowledge and skills." From my own observations, I feel that in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of elderly individuals who appear to be working on the morning and evening commuter trains. In fact, reports indicate that the number of elderly workers has been on the rise year by year. Amid the issues of labor shortages exacerbated by a declining birthrate and an aging population, elderly workers are becoming increasingly valuable. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

On April 18, 2024, we published the latest edition of "Economic and Freight Transport Outlook," which we issue quarterly. This edition is titled "Economic and Freight Transport Outlook for Fiscal Year 2024" (Revised). In this outlook, we have revised the year-on-year growth rate (forecast) for freight transport volume in fiscal year 2024. Additionally, since the actual results for the second half of fiscal year 2023 (October 2023 to March 2024) have not yet been finalized, we have also reviewed and revised the forecast for fiscal year 2023. In this article, similar to previous posts, we will summarize the forecasts for foreign trade containers (maritime) and international air (aviation) transport volumes, including the revisions from the previous forecast (published in December 2023), discrepancies with the actual results for the October to December 2023 period, and the trends in the increase/decrease rates compared to pre-COVID (fiscal year 2019). *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further inquiries.

On February 16, 2024, I participated in the hybrid event: CRE Forum, the 100th commemorative symposium on "The Role of Women in the Logistics Field," and I would like to report on its content. The empowerment of women literally means enabling women to thrive, but it does not necessarily refer to women aiming for or becoming managers. "Diversity" includes not only diversity in gender, age, race, nationality, disability status, sexual orientation, religion and beliefs, and values, but also diversity in career, experience, and work styles. *For more details about the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.

"You hear about hydrogen energy, but what is it really? Is it useful for a decarbonized society? Will it really become popular? It seems scary, like it might explode." If you have these questions and feelings, this article is for you. As a hydrogen enthusiast who can't stop investing in hydrogen, I will cover the basics and the appeal of hydrogen, which has the potential to change the world. I will concisely explain the minimum essential information you should know for now. By reading this, you will quietly acquire a basic understanding, and the role of hydrogen energy in a decarbonized society will become clear. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*

Finally, the regulations on the upper limits of overtime work in the logistics industry have begun, and shippers, logistics operators, and consignees will work together to further optimize logistics and improve productivity. The "Guidelines for Initiatives by Shippers and Logistics Operators for the Optimization of Logistics and Improvement of Productivity," issued by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in June 2023, particularly require shippers to appoint a person (such as an executive) to oversee and manage logistics operations comprehensively within their organization to implement initiatives for the optimization of logistics and improvement of productivity. In this article, I would like to clarify the role of the Chief Logistics Officer (CLO) and outline the necessary responses for shippers to ensure the CLO functions effectively. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further inquiries.*

On April 1, 2024 (Reiwa 6), laws and notifications aimed at improving the working conditions of automobile drivers came into effect. Under the work style reform-related laws, the upper limit for overtime work, which is generally set at 720 hours per year, has an exception for automobile driving operations, where the limit is set at 960 hours per year. Automobile driving operations are considered as total working hours and break times combined, as stipulated in the notification commonly referred to as the improvement standard notification, which sets a maximum time limit. Starting from April 1, the maximum daily working hours will be reduced from 16 hours to 15 hours, the maximum monthly working hours from 293 hours to 284 hours, and the maximum annual working hours from 3,516 hours to 3,300 hours. *For more details, please refer to the related links on the blog. Feel free to contact us for more information.

In the manufacturing and logistics industries, many factories and warehouses are working on business improvements. The term "improvement" is sometimes used internationally in its Romanized form, KAIZEN, and this is largely due to Toyota Motor Corporation, a representative company of Japan. The globally renowned Toyota Production System, also known as TPS, features well-known concepts such as "Just-in-Time" and "Kanban." The foundation of TPS is a mindset of improvement, and at Toyota, improvement is considered to be at the center of work rather than something done alongside it. In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation of "work measurement" and "man-hour management" within this IE methodology. *For more details, you can view the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

On December 1, 2023, on the Tohoku Expressway Hachinohe Line in Shirinai Town, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, two rear tires from a moving large truck came off and struck a man who was working on the roadside. The man died in this accident, and another person who was working with him was injured. Additionally, on the day before this accident, November 30, a tire that had fallen off a large truck collided with a pedestrian on a national highway in Shimane Prefecture, resulting in serious injuries to the pedestrian. In response to these consecutive incidents of wheel detachment, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issued an urgent directive on December 4 for transportation companies nationwide to conduct a thorough inspection to ensure that the nuts securing the tires were not loose. It goes without saying that the wheels of large vehicles like trucks are large and heavy, and if they detach while in motion, the risk of a serious accident is extremely high. Therefore, urgent measures are necessary, and it is only natural that public attention is focused on this issue. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further inquiries.*

Regarding large cargo transportation, three laws regulate the specifications to ensure the soundness and safety of each business: the "Road Transport Vehicle Act (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Transport Bureau)," the "Road Act (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Road Bureau)," and the "Road Traffic Act (National Police Agency)." However, in recent years, some of the permit conditions (regulatory values) have been relaxed due to "deregulation," so I will describe the current situation. Please note that the relaxation status mentioned in this article is based on confirmations up to December 2023. It is also possible that further relaxations may occur in the future, so ongoing verification is necessary. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.

Our blog started in May 2015 with a post by the then-president titled "Nittsu Research Institute Newsletter: Rojitasu." In that blog, it was mentioned, "The other day, I stopped by an izakaya run by a former professional baseball player. As usual, I started with a beer. The mug I held had the phrase 'You have to swing the bat; otherwise, you won't get a hit' printed on it. We swing the bat, but for our readers, it may be difficult to find articles that are truly engaging. Could you bear with us a little longer? Occasionally, there might be a well-hit article that comes along. We hope you will stay with us." I don't know how many hits have been made so far, but I have also decided to carry on the spirit of my predecessors. Although I am not very good at writing, I have resolved to write a blog from time to time. This time, I would like to share a self-introduction and reminisce about the air cargo industry during the end of the Showa era, recalling memories that I had almost forgotten. I would be grateful if you could spend some time with me. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Aviation Bureau conducts four statistical surveys as general statistics with the approval of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: (1) "Air Passenger Movement Survey," (2) "International Air Passenger Movement Survey," (3) "Air Cargo Movement Survey," and (4) "International Air Cargo Movement Survey." Among these, (3) and (4) have been continuously commissioned and conducted by our company. (3) targets domestic air cargo transported to and from Japan, while (4) focuses on export and import air cargo to and from Japan (excluding transshipment cargo that is transferred in Japan). This article will clarify the implementation status of (4) "International Air Cargo Movement Survey," its characteristics and significance, and how it differs from other air cargo transport-related statistics. Next, we will examine the usage trends of "passenger aircraft cargo flights," which were actively operated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the most recent survey results from fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Finally, we will mention the expected changes in the next survey results scheduled for fiscal year 2024. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further inquiries.

On December 26, 2023, we published the latest edition of our regularly issued report "Economic and Freight Transport Outlook," which is released four times a year, titled "Economic and Freight Transport Outlook for FY 2023-2024" (Summary). In this outlook, we are announcing for the first time the year-on-year growth rate (forecast) of freight transport volume for FY 2024. Additionally, for FY 2023, since the actual results for the second half (October 2023 to March 2024) have not yet been finalized, we are also revising and updating the forecast for FY 2023. The outlook published at the end of 2023 includes only the forecast values and summary tables as a "summary," but we plan to release a full version (complete text) that includes comments and reference charts as soon as it is completed. In this article, we will first organize the outlook for external trade containers (maritime) and international air transport volumes, including the adjustments from the previous forecast (October 2023) for FY 2023, the discrepancies with the actual results for the July-September period, and the trends in the increase/decrease rates compared to pre-COVID (FY 2019). *For more detailed content of the blog, please refer to the related links. For further inquiries, please feel free to contact us.

In this blog, I would like to incorporate a more practical approach (such as correlation and multiple regression analysis) to advance the learning of Python and statistics. I will output the correlation between variables from a dataset read using pandas' read.csv() in a heatmap. The value of the correlation coefficient can range from -1 to 1, where a value close to 1 indicates a strong positive correlation, a value close to -1 indicates a strong negative correlation, and a value close to 0 indicates a weak correlation. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

The data analysis approach in logistics is required in various aspects such as inventory management, route optimization, and demand forecasting. However, insights gained from data are essential for its realization. This article focuses on statistical analysis of logistics data using the programming language Python, examining how data analysis can aid decision-making and improvements in the logistics industry. Specifically, it will explain data processing and statistical analysis examples using Python libraries such as Pandas and NumPy, through case studies using real data. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

This time, as part 2 of the transportation series, I would like to discuss the logistics situation and large trucks from the perspective of inter-company transportation, which is essential in logistics, focusing on the industrial parks near Bangkok. The major flood in Thailand in 2011 caused significant damage to the Ayutthaya-Pathum Thani area in northern Bangkok, which had been the center of industrial parks, leading to an increase in companies relocating their industrial parks to Chonburi Province in the southern EEC area (1 to 2 hours from Bangkok). Cargo transported by ship was previously sent to the northern region using the Port of Bangkok, but in the south, the proximity to the sea and the availability of the Laem Chabang Port contributed to the rapid development of the EEC area. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

The 2024 logistics issue in Japan marks the beginning of restrictions on the working hours of logistics workers, prompting various transformations. While there is an active movement towards automation in developed countries, what about developing countries? Japan continues to experience a declining population, and if nothing is done to stop it, the overall labor force in Japan is clearly set to decrease. There is already a significant reliance on inbound tourism and foreign workers, and it is necessary to recognize diversity while also incorporating automation and labor-saving measures. On the other hand, I am curious whether the working conditions for logistics workers in countries with growing populations are undergoing similar transformations as in Japan, or if they remain unchanged. In this article, I would like to discuss the logistics situation in Thailand, where many Japanese companies have established operations, particularly focusing on transportation. *For more detailed content, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

The movement of people, goods, capital, and services becoming free within the EU has had a significant impact on the logistics industry. In particular, the introduction of the euro has allowed for the establishment of optimal locations considering lead times and delivery costs. Major logistics companies in Europe previously positioned their own distribution centers in optimal locations across various countries. However, after the introduction of the euro, they began treating multiple countries as a single market and adopted a flexible system to meet customer demands by temporarily selling their own distribution center facilities to logistics real estate operators, often real estate companies within their own group, and then re-leasing them under the same conditions as the customer contracts. As a result, when customers requested the relocation of distribution hubs, they were able to respond relatively easily by moving to another location. *For more details, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

For Japanese people, saying "going abroad" feels completely natural, but in continental Europe, one can travel to foreign countries without crossing the sea, as they are connected by land. The experience of crossing land borders, which is impossible in modern Japan, provides a more tangible sense of "this is a different country" compared to the ambiguous crossings by plane or ship. In the UK, which is an island nation, "overseas travel" and "foreign travel" are synonymous, just like for Japanese people. However, in Germany, which has land borders, there is a clear distinction made. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related link. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*