Japan Post has taken the first step in its planned international expansion by announcing thecreation of a new cargo airline with All Nippon Airways and joint development of international
express courier services for Asia. The Japanese post office, which was recently reported to be intalks with TNT, Nippon Express and Sagawa over cooperation ventures, aims to develop its parcels,express and logistics activities as part of its privatisation in October 2007. Under theprivatisation plans, the giant post office is allowed to invest in international logistics fromApril 2006 onwards.In a joint statement, Japan Post and ANA said that they had signed a strategic agreement tocooperate in international air cargo services from April 1, 2006. The new venture will include thecreation of a new cargo airline and the joint development of international express courier servicesparticularly to the growing Asian market. The airline will be two-third owned by ANA and one thirdby Japan Post. Flight operations are planned to start within the first half of the fiscal year. Inthe international express courier field, ANA will coordinate flight schedules and give priorityspace for products developed by Japan Post.
Japan Post president Masaharu Ikuta said: “This is a historical first step for Japan Post in anew business field. Supported by ANA with its wealth of experience in air transportation, we canmake our first move into the international express courier business, and springboard ourselves onthe path to becoming a global provider of integrated logistics services.”
ANA president and CEO Mineo Yamamoto added: “To have been chosen as the first joint venturepartner of Japan Post is an enormous honour for ANA, and we are delighted and proud to have sealedthis agreement.” ANA, which recently sold its 50 per cent stake in Nippon Cargo Airlines to the NYKshipping group, has ordered new freighter aircraft for delivery at the end of this year and thebeginning of 2006 with the aim of expanding its cargo business.
