Yamato HD | Asking President Sakurai Toshiyuki (櫻井敏之) about the “Choices” for Restoring Earnings and the “Initiatives” for Creating Value

A press conference was held at the company's head office in Tokyo with Sakurai Toshiyuki (櫻井敏之), who became president in April this year. He discussed specific actions aimed at restoring earnings and creating value. Sakurai Toshiyuki (櫻井敏之) explained his leadership approach, centred on staying close to the front line, taking responsibility himself and trusting employees to carry out their roles.

He said the top priority after taking office was restoring earnings, and that the company would promote the conversion of costs into variable costs in line with fluctuations in workload. AI will be used to optimise vehicle dispatch planning and delivery routes, and he stressed the policy of using data to support methods that had previously relied on experience and intuition.

He introduced initiatives including managing shipment volumes based on data forecasts, using data and AI to determine the optimal combination of personnel and partners, and introducing dedicated automated routes. Shipment-volume forecasting by depot and optimisation of stopping locations are progressing, and he indicated that data utilisation is beginning to function effectively.

Under its medium-term management plan, the company intends to continue working on contract logistics and global operations beyond parcel delivery. It also plans to focus on profitability by shifting its pricing approach through appropriate pricing.

Regarding freighter operations, the company decided to withdraw by June 2027, citing the weaker yen and the divergence from market conditions. As part of its sweeping review, it will separate infrastructure from logistics services and review investment and its cost structure in line with changes in the external environment.