【必見】置き配50％時代！物流の大変化が起きてます！【EC・ネットショップ】

The Japanese government, in its "Comprehensive Logistics Policy Outline" for 2026-2030, has set forth goals such as a 50% rate of unattended delivery and the promotion of logistics DX (digital transformation), and is proceeding with the restructuring of the logistics network. This is driven by the increase in delivery volume due to the expansion of e-commerce and the strain on logistics operations, where the limitations of the traditional system are becoming apparent. Of particular interest is the concept of the "physical internet," a plan to standardize pallet and box sizes, tracking numbers, etc., enabling joint delivery and shared logistics facilities. With the advancement of Amazon-type urban centralized delivery models and the expansion of in-store pickup locations, the role of physical stores as "inventory storage and pickup locations" is expected to become even more important. We interviewed Mr. Kozaki about "logistics"! ▽What is the Japanese Government's "Comprehensive Logistics Policy Outline"? The Comprehensive Logistics Policy Outline, which is revised every five years, was approved by the Cabinet on March 31st. The government has issued guidelines outlining how Japanese logistics should be structured for the five years from 2026 to 2030. Having worked in the e-commerce business for over 25 years since the 1990s, I've observed that marketing, e-commerce sites, and logistics warehouses have all changed. However, the fundamental process of attaching the final shipping label and handing it over to the delivery company remains essentially unchanged. In this context, I'd like to discuss the future of delivery. Amazon's "leave-at-door" delivery service, which has become the de facto standard, is now being promoted by the government in line with current needs, with a goal of achieving this by 2030. It's likely that in the future, leave-at-door delivery will be the default, with customers choosing face-to-face delivery for an additional fee, perhaps an extra 100 yen. Last year, during Black Friday, coinciding with year-end events and Rakuten events, a major logistics company's base became overwhelmed. This highlights the challenges of the current logistics system. ▽What is the Physical Internet? The government's policy also includes efforts to establish a new logistics model called the "Physical Internet" in Japan by 2040. Specifically, this initiative aims to promote the digital transformation and IT integration of logistics, standardizing all standards, including pallet sizes, cargo sizes, and the sizes of collapsible containers and boxes, rather than having them vary from company to company. For example, if we standardize the 60-size package to only two types based on the sum of its three dimensions, calculating loading efficiency becomes incredibly easy. Another interesting point is that the tracking numbers and inquiry numbers used for last-mile delivery, which are currently inconsistent across companies, are also being standardized in this logistics plan. I think this initiative is fantastic. One benefit of standardization is that, for example, if delivery company A experiences a breakdown, as happened at the end of last year, company B can take over. Standardizing, like product JAN codes, would allow for consolidated deliveries and the sharing of logistics facilities. The Physical Internet aims to further promote collaborative delivery in the future. ▽Restructuring the Logistics Network Amazon's delivery success has had a significant impact on Japan. Amazon's model involves building large warehouses called FCs (Fulfillment Centers) in areas with low per-square-foot costs around urban centers, storing inventory, picking and packing goods, and then collecting those goods at delivery stations (DS) in urban areas. These stations then sort the goods at locations commonly known as TCs (Transportation Centers), ensuring efficient delivery to nearby areas. This new logistics plan aims to promote the restructuring of this logistics network throughout Japan. The three major delivery companies are fundamentally built on the premise of universal service, delivering to every corner of Japan. Amazon, on the other hand, focuses on efficiently delivering to densely populated areas; while it works in urban areas, it's not a universal model. Major retailers like Yodobashi Camera and Nitori are increasingly adopting a style where they handle deliveries themselves in the Kanto region (centered around Tokyo), Kansai, Fukuoka, and Nagoya, achieving speed and low costs, while relying on major delivery companies for other areas. ▽Relationship between physical store requirements and logistics Although the figures aren't out yet, I believe that by 2025, the e-commerce share of all distribution ("e-commerce penetration rate") will reach 10%. In China, it's probably around 45%. In this context, the key to the survival of physical stores has been around for nearly 20 years: being located in urban areas and serving as ...