Demand for Logistics Efficiency Driven by a Truck Driver Shortage and Rising Labor Costs
First written in FY2019-Q3. 14 of 26 entries say "Restated". Latest entry: 2026-10-15.
Upr moved to the "Worse" side of this theme in 2022.
0 other companies' latest entry also says "Advanced".
- FY2026-H1Efficiency measures following implementation of the amended Logistics Efficiency ActAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, against the backdrop of the amended Logistics Efficiency Act, both shippers and logistics operators are required to address logistics efficiency improvements, including shorter waiting and cargo-handling times and higher loading rates.」
States that, following implementation of the amended Logistics Efficiency Act, both shippers and logistics operators are required to reduce waiting and cargo-handling times and improve loading rates. - FY2025-H1Planned implementation of the amended Logistics Efficiency Act and the risk of transport capacity becoming unavailable not yet materializingAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, the amended Logistics Efficiency Act took effect on 1 April 2025, requiring all shippers and logistics operators to make efforts to implement measures aimed at improving logistics efficiency. The government is taking an active approach to the “risk of being unable to transport goods,” including the “2024 logistics issue,” and is implementing measures to secure sustainable logistics.」
States that the amended Logistics Efficiency Act was scheduled to take effect on 1 April 2025 and that the government was advancing measures to address the “risk of being unable to transport goods.” It also states that, in the logistics business, this risk has been “slow to materialize.” - FY2024-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, application of the Work Style Reform legislation limiting truck drivers’ overtime hours began on 1 April 2024. As a response to the “2024 issue,” which is said to carry the risk of transport capacity shortfalls of 14% in fiscal 2024 and 34% in fiscal 2030 if no measures are taken, the government approved the “Policy Package for Logistics Innovation” in June 2023. The package, proposed by the Council of Relevant Ministers for the Innovation of Logistics in Japan, contains fundamental and comprehensive measures covering a review of business practices, logistics efficiency improvements, and changes in the behavior of shippers and consumers. In October, the government formulated the “Emergency Package for Logistics Innovation” to bring forward feasible measures for eliminating the fiscal 2030 transport capacity shortfall, strengthened monitoring of shippers and primary contractors by Truck G-Men, issued its first 2 recommendations in January 2024, announced a government medium- to long-term plan for fiscal 2030 in February, and approved a bill to amend the Act on Promotion of Comprehensive and Efficient Logistics and the Trucking Business Act to support the sustainable growth of logistics in response to the “2024 issue,” steadily advancing measures with an unprecedentedly proactive stance.」
Reconfirms the potential transport capacity shortfalls of 14% and 34% even after the overtime-hour regulations took effect on 1 April 2024, the government’s various measures, and the steady progress of demand for rental pallets used in transport. - FY2024-Q2WorsenedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, as the application of the Work Style Reform legislation limiting truck drivers’ overtime hours began on 1 April 2024, the “2024 issue” was said to carry the risk of a transport capacity shortfall of 14% in fiscal 2024 and 34% in fiscal 2030 if no measures were taken. In June 2023, the government approved the “Policy Package for Logistics Innovation,” a fundamental and comprehensive set of measures covering a review of business practices, logistics efficiency improvements, and changes in the behavior of shippers and consumers, based on proposals from the Council of Relevant Ministers for the Innovation of Logistics in Japan. In October, it formulated the “Emergency Package for Logistics Innovation” to bring forward feasible measures for eliminating the fiscal 2030 transport capacity shortfall, strengthened monitoring of shippers and primary contractors by Truck G-Men, issued its first 2 recommendations in January 2024, announced a government medium- to long-term plan for fiscal 2030 in February, and approved a bill to amend the Act on Promotion of Comprehensive and Efficient Logistics and the Trucking Business Act to support the sustainable growth of logistics in response to the “2024 issue,” steadily advancing measures with an unprecedentedly proactive stance.」
With the application of overtime-hour regulations on 1 April 2024 imminent, it reiterated the potential transport capacity shortfalls of 14% and 34%. It also specifically described progress in the government’s response, including its first recommendations, a medium- to long-term plan and Cabinet approval of a bill to amend the relevant legislation. - FY2024-Q1WorsenedAnnual report
「It is said that, if no measures are taken, transport capacity could fall short by 14% in fiscal 2024 and 34% in fiscal 2030. In June 2023, the government approved the “Policy Package for Logistics Innovation,” a fundamental and comprehensive set of measures covering a review of business practices, logistics efficiency improvements, and changes in the behavior of shippers and consumers. In October, it approved the “Emergency Package for Logistics Innovation” to bring forward feasible measures for eliminating the fiscal 2030 transport capacity shortfall, and established a concentrated monitoring month for the monitoring system covering shippers and primary contractors by Truck G-Men, steadily advancing measures to address the “2024 issue.”」
As the deadline for addressing the 2024 issue approached, it quantified for the first time the potential transport capacity shortfall if no measures were taken, at 14% in fiscal 2024 and 34% in fiscal 2030. It also referred to the government’s Emergency Package for Logistics Innovation and monitoring by Truck G-Men. - FY2023WorsenedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, with six months remaining before the deadline for addressing the 2024 issue, creating the working environment needed to comply with limits on truck drivers’ overtime hours has become an urgent issue, and recognition of palletized transport as an effective measure is increasing.」
With approximately six months remaining before the deadline for addressing the 2024 issue, compliance with overtime-hour regulations is presented as an increasingly urgent issue. - FY2023-Q3WorsenedAnnual report
「The logistics industry is facing the so-called “2024 logistics issue,” with less than one year remaining before tighter limits on truck drivers’ working hours take effect and the risk that logistics could stagnate if no measures are taken. To address the 2024 logistics issue, the government held the first meeting of the Council of Relevant Ministers for the Innovation of Logistics in Japan in March and in June approved the “Policy Package for Logistics Innovation,” a fundamental and comprehensive set of measures covering a review of business practices, logistics efficiency improvements, and changes in the behavior of shippers and consumers. As the 2024 logistics issue approaches, palletizing bulk-loaded and bulk-unloaded cargo to reduce lengthy waiting times for loading and unloading and cargo-handling work outside the scope of contracts is an urgent issue. Interest in palletized transport and joint distribution, which help improve truck drivers’ long working hours, continues to increase, and demand for rental pallets used in transport remained solid.」
With less than one year remaining before the deadline for addressing the 2024 issue, it was described as an urgent issue carrying the risk of logistics disruptions. The discussion also referred to the government’s Council of Relevant Ministers and policy package, and reconfirmed strong interest in palletized transport and joint distribution and solid demand for rental pallets used in transport. - FY2023-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, with approximately one year remaining before the deadline for addressing the 2024 issue, major companies in particular continue to actively promote palletized transport and joint distribution initiatives that help improve truck drivers’ long working hours. Pallet pooling systems using rental pallets continue to attract strong interest because they include systems for pallet collection and loss prevention, and demand for rental pallets used in transport remained solid.」
Reconfirms that approximately one year remains before the deadline for addressing the 2024 issue, that interest remains high in palletized transport, joint distribution and pallet pooling systems, and that demand for rental pallets used in transport remains solid. - FY2023-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, as the deadline for addressing the 2024 issue approaches, major companies in particular are stepping up palletized transport and joint distribution initiatives that help improve truck drivers’ long working hours.」
Reconfirms that, with the deadline for addressing the 2024 issue approaching, palletized transport and joint distribution initiatives have accelerated and demand for rental pallets used in transport remains solid. - FY2022WorsenedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, with the deadline for addressing the 2024 issue 1.5 years away, creating the working environment needed to comply with limits on truck drivers’ overtime hours has become an urgent issue, and recognition of palletized transport as an effective measure is increasing.」
With the deadline for addressing the 2024 issue 1.5 years away, responding to driver shortages and overtime-hour regulations was identified as an urgent issue. - FY2022-Q3WorsenedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, with the 2024 issue two years away, the Comprehensive Logistics Policy Outline (2021–2025) describes this as “an opportunity to accelerate the digitalization and structural reform of logistics, which have not progressed sufficiently.” Palletized transport is an effective means of creating the working environment needed to comply with limits on truck drivers’ overtime hours, and interest in pallet pooling systems using rental pallets, supported by systems for pallet collection and loss prevention, has been increasing significantly.」
With the 2024 issue two years away, accelerating logistics digitalization and structural reform has been identified as necessary, and interest in pallet pooling systems using rental pallets has been described as having “increased significantly.” - FY2022-Q2WorsenedAnnual report
「The aging of truck drivers and severe driver shortages have been increasing year after year. The Comprehensive Logistics Policy Outline (2021–2025) also recommends measures to address labor shortages and promote structural reform in logistics, including “logistics that is considerate of workers.” In addition, as limits on truck drivers’ overtime hours are scheduled to apply in fiscal 2024, companies are becoming increasingly aware of logistics-related issues.」
States that driver shortages have been “increasing year after year” and that interest in logistics issues has risen sharply ahead of the fiscal 2024 overtime-hour regulations. - FY2022-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, demand for rental pallets used in palletized transport and joint distribution, which help improve truck drivers’ long working hours, remained solid. Demand for rental pallets used for storage, which had declined as inventories fell due to production adjustments and other factors related to COVID-19, gradually recovered.」
Reconfirms the solid demand for rental pallets used in transport and joint distribution and states that demand for rental pallets used for storage, which had declined, gradually recovered. - FY2021RestatedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, the aging of truck drivers and labor shortages have become persistent issues. Companies continue to show strong interest in logistics, and demand for rental pallets used in transport, which help reduce truck drivers’ long working hours, has remained high,」
Identifies truck driver aging and labor shortages as persistent issues and reconfirms the high level of demand for rental pallets used in transport. - FY2021-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「The aging of truck drivers and labor shortages continue to become increasingly serious. The Comprehensive Logistics Policy Outline (fiscal 2021–fiscal 2025) also recommends measures to address labor shortages and promote structural reform in logistics, including “logistics that is considerate of workers.” Companies continue to show strong interest in logistics, and demand for rental pallets used in transport, which help reduce truck drivers’ long working hours, has remained high,」
Reconfirms the increasing severity of truck driver aging and labor shortages and the resulting high level of demand for rental pallets used in transport. The Comprehensive Logistics Policy Outline for fiscal 2021 through fiscal 2025 also includes measures to address labor shortages. - FY2021-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「The aging of truck drivers and labor shortages continue to become increasingly serious. The next Comprehensive Logistics Policy Outline also recommends measures to address labor shortages and promote structural reform in logistics, including “logistics that is considerate of workers.” Companies continue to show strong interest in logistics, demand for rental pallets used in transport, which help reduce truck drivers’ long working hours, has remained high,」
Reconfirms the increasing severity of truck driver aging and labor shortages, as well as the resulting high level of demand for rental pallets used in transport. - FY2021-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, the aging of truck drivers and labor shortages have become persistent issues. Demand for rental pallets used in palletized transport and joint distribution, which help reduce truck drivers’ long working hours, remained solid. However, demand in some areas for rental pallets used for storage declined as inventories fell due to production adjustments and other factors related to COVID-19.」
States that demand for palletized transport and joint distribution remained solid against a backdrop of truck driver shortages and long working hours, while demand for rental pallets used for storage declined in some areas due to production adjustments and other factors. - FY2020RestatedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, the aging of truck drivers and labor shortages continue to become increasingly serious, while demand for rental pallets used in palletized transport and joint distribution remained high.」
Reconfirms that truck driver shortages and an aging workforce persist, with demand related to palletized transport and joint distribution remaining high. - FY2020-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, the aging of truck drivers and labor shortages continue to become increasingly serious. The “Guidelines for Improving the Trading Environment and Long Working Hours through Cooperation between Shippers and Transport Operators: Logistics for Paper and Pulp (Household Paper)” announced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on 29 May 2020 explicitly identifies “implementing palletization initiatives to eliminate manual loading and unloading” as a key measure, keeping demand for rental pallets used in palletized transport and joint distribution at a high level.」
Reiterates that the aging and labor shortages among truck drivers continue to become increasingly serious. The household paper guidelines also explicitly identify palletization as a measure to address the issue. - FY2020-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, the aging of truck drivers and labor shortages continue to become increasingly serious. As a result, transport companies have actively promoted palletized transport and joint distribution, keeping demand for rental pallets at a high level.」
Reiterates that the aging and labor shortages among truck drivers continue to worsen, supporting high demand for palletized transport, joint distribution and rental pallets. - FY2020-Q1WorsenedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, the aging of truck drivers and labor shortages are becoming increasingly serious. As a result, transport companies have actively promoted palletized transport and joint distribution, keeping demand for rental pallets at a high level.」
States that the aging and labor shortages among truck drivers have become “even more serious,” strengthening the risks underlying demand for logistics efficiency improvements. - FY2019RestatedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, the aging of truck drivers and labor shortages are becoming increasingly serious, and further efficiency improvements and labor savings are required due to rising labor costs and other factors.」
Reiterates that truck driver shortages, an aging workforce and rising labor costs persist, creating a need for more efficient, less labor-intensive logistics. - FY2019-Q3First statedAnnual report
「In the logistics industry, as the aging of truck drivers and labor shortages become increasingly serious, companies continue to show strong interest in logistics. Further efficiency improvements and labor savings are required due to truck driver shortages and rising labor costs, and interest in palletized transport is increasing.」
States that labor shortages and rising labor costs have become increasingly serious, driving demand for more efficient, less labor-intensive logistics and palletized transport.