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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Japan Post to stop mail collection/delivery at 1,000 post offices

The Japan Post on June 28 announced a plan to drastically realign post offices, including elimination of collection and delivery at 1,048 offices out of the 4,696 offices nationwide. Most of the selected offices are located in less populated areas.

This plan is detrimental to services for local residents in that it will cause such problems as delays in mail delivery and the closure of the weekend services.

On the same day, Japanese Communist Party House of Representative member Yoshii Hidekatsu commented on the plan as follows:

"In preparation for the privatization and break-up of postal services, to be implemented in October 2007, Japan Post intends to cut costs by eliminating or consolidating distribution services in less unpopulated areas and isolated islands where they cannot make a profit.

Japan Post has argued that the privatization will not result in a deterioration of its services. However, the plan will expand each office's area of coverage, causing deterioration of services such as the delay of mail delivery.

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro emphasized that the postal privatization will help improve its services. This proved to be false.

Apparently, the plan will be followed by the closing or consolidating of postal offices. The JCP will make every effort to stop the plan by joining forces with local governments and residents concerned."

In the Amami Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, where nine designated post offices are slated to stop deliveries, eight out of 12 local assemblies adopted resolutions demanding that the plan be withdrawn.

Local municipality heads told a JCP investigation team visiting the islands on June 28 that each municipality has no public facility other than schools, clinics, and post offices that are essential for their daily living. They said that they will use all their strength to oppose the Japan Post plan.
- Akahata, June 29, 2006