Japan's Postal Services on Chopping Block

Aug 22, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Japan's Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry has begun considering reductions in postal services, including fewer mailboxes and less frequent deliveries, as the country's postal business continues to suffer losses following a prolonged decline in letters and New Year's cards.

The postal business has recorded losses for four consecutive years since fiscal 2022 as the spread of social media has reduced the exchange of letters and New Year's greeting cards, leading to a decline in mail volumes.

With losses expected to widen further, the ministry decided on August 20 to begin studying measures that could include scaling back existing services.

An expert panel will examine options while referring to examples from other countries. Discussions are expected to cover reducing the number of mailboxes, cutting the frequency of postal deliveries and raising postage rates as part of efforts to ensure the sustainable operation of the postal service.

The ministry plans to compile the panel's recommendations by around summer 2027.

Japan's Postal Act currently requires at least one post office to be maintained in every municipality and also calls for the nationwide network of about 180,000 mailboxes to be preserved.

Adapting those legal service requirements to changes in society and declining demand has become a key issue as the government considers the future structure of Japan's postal system.

Source: TBS

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