ＮＸ総合研究所 List of Products and Services

When picking up keywords from popular articles in our recent logistics blog, themes such as "2024 issue," "COVID-19 pandemic," "fire prevention measures," "international transportation," "energy conservation," "health-related accidents," "personnel evaluation," "work style reform," "truck freight rates," and "traffic safety measures" emerge. Here, we will consider this from a slightly different perspective. How have those working in the logistics industry gained insights on pressing themes and topics of interest? In other words, what methods have traditionally been used to gather information? The conventional approach involved searching for related information scattered across the internet, such as blog articles and news sites. The method was to conduct "web searches," where one would find numerous articles through searches and spend time comparing and reading them to gain insights. *For detailed content of the blog, please refer to the related links. For more information, feel free to contact us.*

Amazon announced its drone delivery service "Prime Air" in 2013. Ten years have passed since then, and they are actively advancing drone delivery trials at new bases in California and Texas. In 2023, they started a service to deliver prescription medications via drone to specific customers in Texas who were permitted to install markers at delivery locations, all within an hour of placing an order and at no additional charge. Additionally, Walmart's drone delivery achievements have already exceeded 10,000 deliveries across 36 stores in seven states. With UPS receiving permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in September 2023 for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations (long-distance flights without ground monitoring personnel), regulations for "making drone delivery a part of everyday life" are gradually being relaxed in the United States. *For more details, you can view the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

The revised edition of our quarterly report "Economic and Freight Transport Outlook" was published on October 6, 2023. This is the third and final revision for the "2023 Outlook." It is the fourth issuance of the outlook for 2023 and the last one for this year. Starting from the next outlook, it will focus on the forecasts for the fiscal year 2024, titled "2023-2024 Outlook." In this document, we will review and correct the forecast values for foreign trade containers (maritime transport) and international air transport, as well as the discrepancies with actual values and the rate of increase or decrease compared to pre-COVID levels (fiscal year 2019). Additionally, we will organize and elaborate on the key factors for developing the forecast values for fiscal year 2024 and examining the underlying scenarios for the next outlook. *For more details, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further information.*

The "2024 Logistics Problem" has been increasingly mentioned in general newspapers, web articles, and on television lately. However, the correct understanding and specific responses to it are still far from sufficient. Therefore, I would like to convey information about the "2024 Logistics Problem" over several installments. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*

The series "Logistics '2024 Problem' from the Perspective of SDGs I" focuses on the potential emergence of a relatively impoverished class within Japan's logistics industry and the persistently poor management conditions of freight transportation companies. It discusses the challenges Japan must overcome regarding the "2024 Problem" from the perspective of the SDGs. This article will address the transactional relationships between logistics providers and shippers, as well as the trends of standardization and digitalization, and will continue to discuss the challenges of the "2024 Problem" from the perspective of the SDGs. *For more detailed information about the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more details.*

I participated in LogiMAT 2023 held in Stuttgart, Germany, in April 2023. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it had been four years since I attended an overseas material handling and robotics-related event. Recently, many exhibition events have been held in a hybrid format, combining physical venues with online participation. After several years of only attending online events, my desire to visit a large-scale exhibition had grown, so I left for the trip with high expectations. Perhaps due to the long absence from overseas business trips, the flight time to Europe felt extremely long. Additionally, since flights over Russia were not possible, the route took me northeast from Japan, crossing the Bering Sea to Europe, resulting in a journey that lasted about 15 hours, which may have made the trip feel even longer. It was also my first experience crossing the International Date Line to go to Europe. (On the return flight, I also crossed over the North Pole for the first time.) *For more details, you can view the blog through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

To effectively harness the power of ChatGPT, it is essential to write "good prompts." A prompt refers to the words used to instruct or ask ChatGPT to do something. Therefore, a "good prompt" can be described as "skillful instructions or questions." The importance of a "good prompt" is exactly the same as saying that "to ensure an excellent new employee can perform their tasks accurately and achieve the desired results, it is crucial to provide clear instructions." In this blog, I will introduce three key points to keep in mind for giving effective instructions to ChatGPT: providing specific instructions, clarifying the instructions, and supplying reference information to ChatGPT. By considering these three points while utilizing ChatGPT, you can expect improvements in operational efficiency, such as problem-solving and service proposals in logistics operations. *For more details about the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

Most of the freight transportation, which is at the core of logistics, utilizes internal combustion engines that emit a significant amount of CO2. Therefore, it seems that many logistics-related companies in Japan tend to place too much emphasis on SDG Goal 7, "Affordable and Clean Energy," and Goal 13, "Climate Action." However, when we turn our attention to the urgent issue of the "2024 Problem" in logistics that Japan must overcome, we should realize that there are many other goals that deserve more attention. For a while starting now, I would like to focus on a series of SDGs that are often overlooked as goals, but are actually extremely important for the sustainability of Japan's logistics and essential for fundamentally solving the "2024 Problem" in logistics. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*

One of the things unimaginable in peaceful Japan is that in socialist countries, countries with high conflict risks, and countries at war, it is prohibited to take photographs of military bases, as well as important infrastructure such as airports, ports, bridges, and dams. At Russia's Vostochny Port, border guards (KGB = Soviet Committee for State Security, which also includes intelligence agencies and border guards) are stationed with Kalashnikov rifles slung over their shoulders under the gangway of a moored vessel, and I was warned by an agency representative that if I carelessly tried to take photos of the port, I could be shot. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

The revised edition of our "Economic and Freight Transport Outlook," which we publish regularly four times a year, was announced on July 7, 2023. This revised edition updates the previous outlook published in April 2023, taking into account subsequently released statistics, actual results, and new trends to reassess the scenarios and forecast values (freight transport volume and year-on-year growth rate). The published materials are available on our company website, but in this article, we will summarize and provide additional explanations regarding the changes and noteworthy points in the outlook for international freight transport volume (export containers and international air) from Japan compared to the previous forecast. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further inquiries.

The rainy season's humidity continues, but I hope everyone is doing well. In this article, I will report from my unique perspective on the insights I gained while studying logistics during my time in Japan, after returning to my hometown in Vietnam in May 2023. On July 20, 2004, Tokyo recorded its highest temperature ever at 39.5°C. This record high in Tokyo is a normal summer occurrence in my hometown (Quang Tri Province in central Vietnam). When I returned in May, the temperature was above 39°C. At that time, Japan was around 20°C, so I was a bit surprised, but it was a new experience. Now, let me introduce the first and second days of my return. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*

Diversity refers to the concept of "accepting differences in race, gender, preferences, values, beliefs, and so on, and aiming to realize the potential of diverse human resources." The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry defines diversity management as "a management approach that utilizes diverse human resources and provides opportunities for their abilities to be maximally demonstrated, thereby creating innovation and leading to value creation." It states that "the active participation of diverse human resources is essential for the sustainable growth of the Japanese economy, as it secures talent in the context of a declining birthrate and aging population, and enhances the ability to respond to diversifying market needs and risks." "Diverse human resources" include not only gender, age, race, nationality, disability status, sexual orientation, religion and beliefs, and values, but also diversity related to career, experience, and working styles. *For more details about the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.

From the perspective of the SDGs, many companies are engaged in decarbonization efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, which are said to be a cause of global warming. In the logistics industry, there is an increasing number of companies promoting modal shifts (the transition of transportation methods) from truck-based freight transport to more environmentally friendly modes such as rail and maritime transport. In this modal shift, the CO2 emissions when transporting 1 ton of cargo for 1 km are approximately one-sixth for ships and about one-eleventh for rail compared to trucks, indicating that switching to rail transport is particularly effective as a measure against environmental issues. This background has led to a growing demand for rail freight transport in recent years. The Railway Freight Association, established in 1950, is a public interest incorporated association under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet Office, engaged in various activities (research, studies, promotion, and awareness) to promote the use of rail freight. Each year, it conducts research and studies aimed at enhancing the convenience and safety of rail freight transport based on a specific theme. This time, we will introduce a temperature and humidity survey during transport between Osaka and Sapporo, in which our company is cooperating. *For more details about the blog, please refer to the related link. For further inquiries, feel free to contact us.*

In the last week of April, there were daily reports about the evacuation from Sudan, Khartoum, where the fighting had intensified. Additionally, North Korea's missile launches continued unabated, and when the J-Alert was notified on my smartphone in April, it reminded me of the air raid sirens I heard 37 years ago in Baghdad. During my stay in Iraq from February 1986 to February 1987, it was the sixth year of the Iran-Iraq War, and both countries were running low on war funds due to the prolonged conflict. The fighting consisted mainly of small-scale skirmishes along the border, and there were missile attacks on the capital Baghdad about once a week. *For more details, you can view the blog through the related link. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

Three years have passed since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) began in 2020. In the fourth year, 2023, starting from May 8, the classification of COVID-19 under the Infectious Diseases Control Law will transition to "Category 5," the same as seasonal influenza, and there are expectations for an acceleration and full-scale recovery to the "pre-COVID" state. In this post, we will analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the movement of international air cargo and external trade containers (shipping) originating from and destined for Japan over the three years of the pandemic, as well as the recovery trends compared to pre-COVID levels, using two indicators: year-on-year growth rates and growth rates compared to pre-COVID (2019) levels, organized and analyzed chronologically. *Detailed content of the blog can be viewed through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.

When you search for "logistics consultant" online, it is described as "an expert who improves a company's logistics system and works on optimizing business processes." Specifically, you can find keywords such as formulating logistics strategies, improving warehouse and delivery systems, optimizing inventory management, reducing transportation costs, contributing to business improvements, and project management. However, it may be difficult to imagine what kind of work logistics consultants actually do. Therefore, this time we interviewed a senior consultant to discuss the work of logistics consultants. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*

Time flies, and we are already halfway through this year, with the season transitioning into the rainy season and then summer. I understand that discussing fire safety at this time may seem out of sync with the season, but it is essential to implement year-round fire prevention measures for warehouse facilities, which are crucial for logistics. When it comes to warehouse fires, those that cause significant damage or occur in large-scale warehouses tend to receive extensive media coverage. However, it seems that other types of fires do not get reported as much. One notable large-scale warehouse fire occurred in February 2017 in Miyoshi Town, Iruma District, Saitama Prefecture, where approximately 45,000 square meters of a warehouse with a total floor area of about 70,000 square meters burned, taking about 12 days to extinguish. *You can view more details about the blog through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

The revised edition of our "Economic and Freight Transport Outlook," which we publish regularly four times a year, was announced on April 5, 2023. This revised edition updates the previous outlook published in January 2023, taking into account subsequently released statistics, actual results, and new trends, and revises the scenarios and forecast values (freight transport volume and year-on-year growth rate). The published materials are available on our company website, but in this article, we will organize and provide supplementary explanations regarding the changes and noteworthy points in the outlook for international freight transport volume (export containers and international air transport) from Japan compared to the previous forecast. *For detailed content of the blog, please refer to the related links. For more information, feel free to contact us.

Congratulations to everyone who became new members of society in April. To those who have chosen to dive into the logistics industry among many sectors, I have contributed to this blog in hopes of providing some insights into what it is like to work at a logistics company, based on my own experiences. While my focus is primarily on international logistics from the 1980s to the 2010s, I hope it serves as a reference for your future professional life. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*

Recently, we are encountering newspaper articles and news reports about rising prices almost every day. The impact on households is significant, but the effects on businesses are also considerable. Naturally, the logistics industry is directly and severely affected. Tokyo Shoko Research Co., Ltd. published information regarding corporate bankruptcies for the year 2022 (January to December) on January 16, 2023, under the headline "Bankruptcies in the Road Freight Transport Industry Surge Over 40% Year-on-Year, with a Quarter Due to Rising Fuel Costs and Other Price Increases." In the case of the road freight transport industry, it is easy for anyone to imagine that the rise in fuel costs (prices of diesel and gasoline) is directly linked to increased costs. As for crude oil, which is the source of fuel, prices continue to soar and remain high due to various factors, including the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) deciding not to increase production amid rising crude oil demand, the international situation surrounding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the ongoing depreciation of the yen. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has established the Business Vehicle Health-Related Accident Prevention Council since the fiscal year 2015 to prevent health-related accidents involving business vehicles. Are you aware that they are publishing materials that provide information on the number of health-related accidents and the status of various countermeasures? The significant danger of drivers experiencing health issues while operating business vehicles, which use public roads as their workplace, is more evident than seeing fire. Recently, we frequently hear news about traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers mistakenly pressing the accelerator instead of the brake. Such accidents can be somewhat mitigated by installing acceleration suppression devices (systems) to prevent pedal misapplication. However, preventing accidents caused by sudden physical changes is complex due to the various factors involved, such as the nature of health impairments and the level of medical conditions, making it difficult to implement accident prevention measures through systems. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

In the previous article I wrote, "Considering the Supply Chain from the Waste in Logistics," I mentioned that even when observing logistics sites and data, we cannot understand why such logistics occur. I believe readers may wonder what I am looking at to judge the necessity or waste of logistics, so I would like to discuss that aspect this time. To get to the conclusion upfront, we utilize what we can glean from what we see on-site and the data to get closer to the "why." This time, I would like to talk about a method for finding out the reason for inventory, represented as "why," using warehouse data as an example. *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

"Investing a large amount of money into a new business that no one is asking for and launching it." This is a typical example of failure in new business creation. As a result, only systems that no one uses and brand new equipment will be left behind. There are multiple reasons why this happens. One possible reason is "pushing forward with solutions without understanding user needs." Furthermore, a key reason for failure in new business creation in an era of accelerating change is "not matching the changes of the times." *For more details, you can view the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

Forwarding operations are essential for international logistics. In export and import transactions involving trade, various exchanges of information are conducted among exporters, logistics companies, customs authorities in various countries, banks, insurance companies, and exporters to facilitate smooth transactions. This includes the creation and sending of invoices and packing lists, opening letters of credit (L/C), overseas remittances, booking of trucks, ships, and airplanes, customs clearance for imports and exports, concluding insurance contracts (coverage), and issuing bills of lading (B/L), all of which are carried out on a daily basis. Most of these exchanges used to be conducted through the transfer of documents, but advancements in digital technology have led to a shift towards paperless operations. It is said that in the next ten years, this forwarding business will undergo even greater changes. This article will explain two major factors that will bring about these significant changes: "digital forwarding" and "blockchain platforms by shipping companies, customs authorities, and financial organizations in various countries." *For more details about the blog, you can view it through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

Concerns about the acceleration of labor shortages in our country are frequently reported in newspapers and industry publications. In particular, in the logistics industry, the image of the work being tough and wages being low has become entrenched, making it increasingly difficult to hire workers even when recruitment efforts are made. In this article, I would like to examine the current state of labor shortages, the changes in the working environment, and their impacts, while considering the challenges that need to be addressed. *For more detailed content of the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

Generally speaking, the "2024 problem" in logistics refers to the well-known issue arising from the labor reform-related law, which will limit the maximum overtime hours for drivers starting from April 1, 2024. Additionally, the "2025 cliff" refers to a problem explained in the DX report published by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in September 2018, which indicates that due to the aging and complexity of existing systems, there is a possibility of significant economic losses occurring after 2025. In this article, we will examine the turning point at which the long-stalled full-scale DX is expected to accelerate, using the perspective of the "working-age population." *For more details, you can view the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

In our company, the theme of logistics efficiency often arises. Logistics efficiency, simply put, means creating a logistics system without waste, but what does this waste in logistics actually mean? Waste in logistics does not refer to things we see on-site, such as empty warehouse space, underloaded trucks, or lengthy operational pathways, nor does it refer to data that can be interpreted from things like stagnant inventory. This is because even if we look at these sites and data, we cannot understand "why" such logistics are occurring. If we do not know "what is necessary," we cannot identify what is wasteful, can we? *For more details on the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

The recovery and expansion of air cargo exports from Japan has been significantly contributed to by what are considered representative air cargo items: 1. automotive parts and 2. semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This article focuses on automotive parts (HS code 8708) and semiconductor manufacturing equipment (HS code 8486) based on the performance values and data published in the Ministry of Finance trade statistics, analyzing and comparing the trends in their volume changes, air cargo share, and the share of air cargo they represent. While many items in the Ministry of Finance trade statistics do not have weight-based unit statistics published, both value-based and weight-based performance values and data are available for automotive parts and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further inquiries.*

The technological elements required for DX are often thought to be only digital technologies. However, that is a misconception. For example, it is easy for anyone to understand that the technological elements necessary for constructing the new National Stadium are not limited to construction technology. The concept for this building was actually created by the designer Kengo Kuma before the actual construction work began. In other words, when creating something, both upstream and downstream processes are essential. Before the actual product is made in the downstream process, the concept of the finished product must be developed using design technology in the upstream process. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related links. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*

To achieve a sustainable society, the concept of mobility is expanding. In the center of Tokyo, new means of transportation such as shared bicycles and electric kickboards have become more common. Additionally, due to the increase in e-commerce deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic, last-mile delivery in urban areas has become strained, and logistics and e-commerce companies are struggling to find efficient and environmentally friendly delivery methods. I would like to report on the situation of mobility and urban logistics in Paris, France, which I observed while visiting for tourism, to understand what the mobility situation is like overseas. *For more detailed content of the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

In Japan, it has been a long time since the transition from a seniority-based system to a merit-based and performance-based system regarding personnel systems, including salary structures, raises, and promotions. The personnel evaluation system is a crucial foundation for this merit-based and performance-based approach. It is believed that some form of personnel evaluation is conducted in almost all companies, organizations, and institutions, including public agencies. In this article, I would like to examine the main evaluation criteria commonly used for evaluating truck drivers while considering the difficulties in implementation and points to keep in mind when conducting evaluations. *For more details, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

When considering the establishment or relocation of logistics hubs, one important piece of information to keep in mind is "what the rental prices for leased warehouses in the candidate regions will be." In our company, we sometimes investigate the rental market and other conditions of warehouse properties in relation to projects involving the establishment or relocation of warehouses. This time, I would like to introduce how to obtain and utilize warehouse market information using real estate information services such as property search websites available online. *For more detailed content of the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more information.*

Due to the work style reform-related law, from April 1, 2024, the limit on overtime work will also apply to driver positions, which had been granted a five-year grace period. This raises concerns about further driver shortages and a logistics crisis, referred to as the "2024 problem" in logistics. For general job categories (such as clerical and manual work) other than driving, large companies have had a limit on overtime work of 45 hours per month and 360 hours per year since April 1, 2019, while small and medium-sized enterprises have had the same limit since April 1, 2020. Even in cases of special temporary circumstances agreed upon by labor and management, the limit remains within 720 hours per year. Even within the same company, the limits on overtime work differ between driver positions and other job categories at present. *You can view more details on the blog through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

Looking back at the progress of domestic companies regarding DX, it started with an interest in "What is DX?" and then shifted to "What to do with DX?" Now, it is moving towards the stage of "How to implement DX?" However, unfortunately, there are not many companies that have clearly defined answers to a very important question. That question is "What is the purpose of advancing DX?" In other words, the purpose of DX has not been clarified. *You can view the detailed content of the blog through the related link. For more information, please feel free to contact us.*

"Logistics Crisis." Due to the declining birthrate and aging population, the shortage of truck drivers is accelerating, and with the increase in cargo delivery volume driven by the expansion of e-commerce, it is said that by 2027, there will be a shortage of about 240,000 truck drivers, leading to a situation where "goods cannot be transported." The shortage of truck drivers is not only due to the declining birthrate and aging population but also low wages. The structure that generates low wages, characterized by multiple intermediaries (brokers) between shippers and transportation companies, known as "nakauke," is being criticized for its multi-layered subcontracting system. The NPO "Densaburo Shokai" is addressing the social issue of the logistics crisis by utilizing new systems such as IT and apps to eliminate "nakauke," providing unique support for truck drivers to manage their own "general freight transportation business." We spoke with the chairman and staff members. *For more details, you can view the blog through the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

In the previous article published on April 12, 2022, titled "Let's Quickly Catch the Trends in Truck Freight Rates [Labor Force Edition]," we introduced methods to capture trends related to factors affecting freight rates, such as the age composition of truck drivers, the number of employed drivers, the cargo movement index, the effective job openings ratio, and the new job openings ratio. In this sequel, titled [Cost and Actual Freight Rates Edition], we would like to discuss the two major costs that influence truck freight rates: the wages of truck drivers and the price of diesel fuel. We will also cover where to obtain information about actual freight rates and how to make informed judgments. *For more details on the blog, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further information.*

The spread of the novel coronavirus is gradually moving towards a resolution; however, it continues to have extensive and diverse impacts on global logistics, and its overall situation is difficult to grasp, making it challenging to forecast the future. This is likely the sentiment of many in the logistics industry. Therefore, this time, I would like to discuss this topic in order to address the concerns of those in the logistics sector, even if just a little. *For more detailed content of the blog, please refer to the related links. For more information, feel free to contact us.*

According to JIS-Z-0102-2004 (Craft Paper Bags - Terms and Types), a paper bag is defined as "a layer of flat tubular paper consisting of at least one sealed end, which can be combined with other flexible materials to provide the performance required during the filling and distribution stages." This standard specifies single-layer and multi-layer paper bags made from craft paper and does not include paper bags for retail (i.e., those referred to as small bags used in stores). In other words, a paper bag is a type of paper container made from craft paper. This "craft paper" is a characteristic of the paper bag. *For more details, you can view the related links. Please feel free to contact us for more information.*

In the fiscal year 2021, the volume of air cargo exports from Japan increased by 29.7% compared to the previous year, marking a significant rise of nearly 30%. However, according to transportation statistics from the Japan Air Freight Forwarders Association (JAFA), since January 2022, there has been a series of slowdowns and declines in cargo movement across all routes: the Pacific route (TC1), European route (TC2), and Asian route (TC3). In April, all routes experienced a double-digit decline, and negative trends continued across all routes in May. The background and factors (key factors) behind this slowdown and decline in cargo movement vary by route. In this blog, we will clarify the key factors that have a significant impact on cargo movement by route, as well as outline points for predicting future cargo movements. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further inquiries.*

NX Research Institute, a logistics consulting company, launched the warehouse work time measurement tool "Rojitan" in 2015, which has now been implemented at approximately 500 locations. It is used for various purposes such as understanding the current situation, digitizing handwritten daily reports, calculating KPIs like picking efficiency, improving on-site operations, and negotiating unit prices. This time, we will provide a report on the implementation consulting for "Chita Sangyo Unyu Co., Ltd.", headquartered in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, which started measurements in April 2022. *For more details, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for further information.*

In 2020, the number of traffic accidents involving trucks was reported to be 13,500 cases (a decrease of 2,106 cases compared to the previous year), according to the "Report of the Traffic Accident Measures Study Group for Motor Transport Business (FY 2021) [Volume 1]" by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Automotive Bureau. This figure has consistently decreased from 24,865 cases in 2011. This is believed to be the result of improvements in truck safety performance and initiatives such as the "Comprehensive Safety Plan for Business Vehicles 2020." However, considering that the workplace for truck drivers is fundamentally public roads, further efforts to prevent traffic accidents are necessary. Additionally, promoting safety education for drivers is also an important issue. *For more detailed information, please refer to the related links. Feel free to contact us for more details.*

The "Introduction to Logistics Seminar" is conducted for new employees of logistics companies and those who have recently started logistics operations within the company since April. It takes place around June, when they begin to encounter a series of operations and start to have concerns and questions. While it is difficult to cover all the basic information in a seminar lasting about 7 hours, I believe we were able to convey the key points that should be understood and the trends to be aware of.

Forklifts are used in factories and logistics warehouses for handling and transporting large cargo and pallets that cannot be managed manually. However, have site managers ever noticed that there are forklifts that are not in operation when they look around the site? Many people may wonder, "Is the current number really necessary?" or "Could we reduce the number a bit more?" when they see such a situation. With typical forklifts, it is only possible to check the operating hours using an hour meter, and it is not possible to grasp the operational status by time slots, the locations of travel, or the ratio of empty runs to loaded runs. This time, we will introduce a case where a housing equipment manufacturer worked on reducing the number of forklifts using a system called "Rojitan Fork" that utilizes beacons and sensors. *For more details about the blog, please refer to the related link. For further inquiries, feel free to contact us.

In this article, based on the author's inspection experience of airports around the world, I would like to share three impressions regarding the handling of cargo from trucks at Hong Kong International Airport's Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited, commonly known as Hactl's Super Terminal 1. Last year, the "2024 Logistics Problem" became a topic of discussion, but similar issues such as "labor shortages" and "working conditions" are also present in airport cargo handling facilities known as "airport warehouses." This discussion focuses on the specific logistics facility of "airport warehouses" and the limited operations of cargo handling from trucks, where initiatives common to general "warehouses" were also implemented. The key point is "collaboration with related businesses." Blog URL: https://www.nx-soken.co.jp/topics/blog_20250422 *For more details about the blog, please refer to the related link. For further inquiries, feel free to contact us.