FedEx has asked the Japanese government to remove all of Japan Post’s operational advantagesbefore it launches international activities next April, the Financial Times reported. The company’s
Asia president, David Cunningham, has told Tokyo that all players should be able to compete “on anequal and transparent basis”, it said.The FT quoted Cunningham as saying: “Japan Post currently enjoys many regulatory advantages thatinhibit fair competition.” Foreign carriers, for example, had to declare package contents toJapanese customs and pay fees, while Japan Post was exempt from this regulation. But a Japan Postofficial was quoted as saying that all regulatory differences would be eliminated once the postoffice started its international business.
The international express market to and from Japan is currently dominated by the majorintegrators, DHL, UPS, FedEx and TNT. Japanese carriers such as Yamato Transport and Sagawa Expressplay a smaller role.
Under the privatisation bills recently approved by the country’s parliament, Japan Post will bepermitted to enter the international market. It has already signed a cooperation agreement with TNTand agreed to set up a cargo airline in a joint venture with All Nippon Airways (ANA).
