Logistics Optimization Magazine (Issue 44) Logistics Cannot Be Stopped

In this series,

Joint delivery.

Competition and cooperation.

A society that is too convenient.

And we have considered the polarization of logistics.

When you are in the logistics industry, these are realities you feel in your daily work.

On the other hand, for those not involved in logistics, logistics may be something they rarely think about.

Packages arrive.

Products line the store shelves.

You can get what you want.

That is because it is taken for granted.

However, if you dig a little deeper into that assumption, you arrive at one question.

What exactly is logistics?

This time, as a conclusion to this series, I would like to think about that question.

What does it mean for logistics to stop?

"Logistics stops."

When hearing these words, many people might imagine a scene where trucks stop running.

But in reality, it does not end there.

Products in supermarkets decrease.

Convenience store shelves become empty.

Pharmaceuticals do not reach hospitals.

Factories halt production due to parts shortages.

Fuel supply to gas stations also stalls.

Materials do not reach construction sites.

Industries that usually appear separate begin to be affected all at once.

In other words, logistics is not just a single industry.

It is the mechanism that connects the entire society.

Society is built upon logistics.

Agriculture produces.

Fisheries catch.

Factories manufacture.

That alone is not enough for our lives to function.

Only when what is produced is transported and delivered to where it is needed does it become valuable.

Logistics plays the role of connecting production and consumption.

Manufacturing as well.

Healthcare as well.

Construction as well.

Retail as well.

Food and beverage as well.

None of them can function without logistics.

Although it rarely appears in the spotlight, logistics supports the foundation of society as a whole.

The mindset that "logistics is a cost"

In corporate management, logistics is treated as a cost.

This is not a mistake from a management perspective.

Transporting goods requires people.

It requires vehicles.

It also requires warehouses.

Naturally, expenses are incurred.

Therefore, it is important to manage logistics costs appropriately.

However, when considering society as a whole, logistics is not merely a cost.

Logistics does not just transport products.

It transports livelihoods, peace of mind, time, and connects regions.

Its value can never be measured by books alone.

That is why we must change

In this series, we have addressed various issues facing logistics.

The reasons why joint delivery does not progress.

The reasons why small-scale joint delivery succeeds.

The reality that it can no longer be maintained through competition alone.

The burden that convenience has placed on logistics.

The polarization of logistics.

These are not separate issues.

They all

lead to a single question:

"How can we continue to maintain logistics?"

And the answer cannot be found through the efforts of one person alone.

It will not be solved if only logistics companies work hard.

It is not just up to the shippers either.

It is not just up to the consumers either.

The entire society needs to change its way of thinking little by little.

Toward an Era of Competition and Cooperation

Competition will continue to be necessary.

It is precisely because of competition that Japanese logistics has achieved such high quality globally.

However, on the other hand, as population decline and labor shortages progress, there are increasing situations that cannot be maintained by competition alone.

That is why joint delivery is being discussed.

Collaboration between logistics companies is beginning.

Shippers are considering cooperation with each other.

Areas to compete and areas to cooperate.

I believe that from now on, we will enter an era where we must use both appropriately.

Ultimately, it is people who support logistics.

AI will continue to evolve.

Robots are also evolving.

Autonomous driving is also becoming a reality.

Logistics will continue to change significantly.

Even so, I believe that it is people who ultimately keep logistics moving.

The people who assess road conditions.

The people who consult with shippers.

The people who load the cargo.

The people who make decisions on-site.

Technology provides support.

However, it cannot replace trust, promises, and human connections.

While logistics incorporates the latest technology, it remains a very human-centric job.

Looking back at this series

In the first issue, I considered why joint delivery does not progress as much as grand concepts suggest.

In the second issue, I looked at the reasons why small-scale joint delivery is successful in local regions.

In the third issue, I organized the background behind why competition alone can no longer sustain logistics.

In the fourth issue, I thought about the relationship between an overly convenient society and logistics.

In the fifth issue, I touched upon the reality that logistics is beginning to polarize.

And the conclusion I have reached this time is very simple.

It is that logistics is a job that supports society.

Conclusion

Logistics is inconspicuous.

Logistics is behind the scenes.

However, the moment that behind-the-scenes work stops, society also stops.

Therefore, protecting logistics is not just about protecting logistics companies.

It is also about protecting our daily lives.

Logistics is not just the job of transporting goods.

It is the job of connecting people's lives.

And in order to connect those lives to the future, logistics must also change with the times.

In this series, we have focused on the 'now' of logistics.

From the next issue, I would like to change perspectives and trace the 'past' of logistics.

Why was the system of logistics born?

When did people start transporting goods?

By looking back at the history of logistics, we may find hints for thinking about the future of logistics.