In this article, I’d like to talk about Japanese delivery services. I firmly believe that Japan’s delivery services boast the highest quality in the world. Many Japanese would likely agree, and I believe non-Japanese residents in Japan would also concur. (To be honest, I haven’t used delivery services much overseas, so I’m open to counterarguments! 😆) In this article, I will share the reasons for holding this view and also discuss the challenges that Japanese delivery services face. Please read on until the end!
Speed and Punctuality in Delivery Times
When discussing Japanese delivery services, it’s essential to highlight their speed and punctuality. As a frequent user of delivery services, I’m often astonished by how fast and precisely they deliver.
For example, you can have items like golf bags or suitcases delivered to your destination the next day if you place the order by a certain time. Moreover, when ordering from Amazon, you can usually choose specific delivery time slots, and in most cases, they stick to the schedule unless there are unforeseen circumstances.
If, for some reason, we can’t be available to receive the package at the specified time, we can adjust the delivery timing by using the order ID with a straightforward procedure. It’s not that complicated.
I can’t even imagine how advanced the delivery companies’ management systems and logistics must be. I truly believe it’s a technological and service excellence that Japanese can be proud of.
Convenience Store as a Base
Convenience stores are essential infrastructures, particularly in urban areas in Japan. Interestingly, you can choose to have items sent or received at convenience stores. This means you can have items like golf bags sent from a nearby convenience store or pick up your Amazon order from one. This logistics required cooperation from the convenience store industry I believe. It has significantly simplified our lives.
Delivery of Frozen and Refrigerated Items
In Japan, there are dedicated trucks for delivering frozen and refrigerated items, making it possible to send items that require freezing or refrigeration. Having frozen food delivered to your places allows you to receive it with ensuring its quality and hygiene. However, it’s crucial to note that you need to be available at home to receive these deliveries, so please take that into consideration when using this service.
Challenges and Efforts in the Delivery Industry
Maintaining such high delivery standards is by no means an easy task, and it appears that the strain is also affecting the working conditions of delivery personnel. In recent times, to alleviate this situation, some companies have abolished “next-day delivery”, which means receiving an order the day after it’s placed, and have introduced delivery within two or more days.
Another challenge lies on the receiving end. Despite specifying delivery times on platforms like Amazon, there are instances where the recipient is not present at the designated time of delivery. This can be quite disappointing. As a result, the delivery personnel have to take the packages back and arrange for a re-delivery, adding unnecessary extra burden on them. While punctuality is often regarded as one of the virtues of the Japanese people, there are, of course, exceptions, and this becomes one of the issues in the delivery industry.
The quality of Japanese delivery services is also supported by the quality on the receiving end, and we must be mindful of this fact.
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If you plan to travel to Japan, you may use services like Amazon for shopping. Since travel time is limited, using Amazon can be an efficient way to shop. If you’re staying at a hotel, you can check if they accept packages on your behalf or confirm with hotel staff. I’ve had items delivered to hotels in Japan on multiple occasions. If you’re staying in an Airbnb or similar accommodation and can guarantee being in the room at the specified time, you might consider trying and using this delivery option as well.
