Japan reshaping logistics as it vies to become major trade hub

In March 2021, as the world was still firmly in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan's Port of Yokohama was named the world's most efficient container port by the World Bank and data firm IHS Markit. The accolade could.

not have come at a more timely moment for Japan, which sees the challenges brought about by the pandemic as an opportunity for the country to position itself as a global logistics hub to serve as an alternative to other Asian hubs like China and South Korea.

The pandemic's impact on global logistics and supply chains continues to be felt today, particularly in China, where the government's "zero-covid" policy continues to cause major disruption. Along with the pandemic's impact, extreme weather events, the war in Ukraine, labor shortages and the oil price crisis have also taken their toll on an already battered transport and logistics industry, which has been forced to rethink the status quo.

Against this global backdrop, Japan has billed itself as a logistics leader at the forefront of DX and green technologies - boasting one of the world's most integrated logistics networks. This allows the Japanese logistics industry not only to develop new technologies, but also to quickly introduce them throughout the logistics supply chain.

From the demand to diversify supply chains and trade routes and build a logistics network less dependent on China, to the need to decrease fossil fuel use and increase automation, Japan can leverage its geographical position, advanced infrastructure and integrated industries to ride the wave of change.