Recently, e-commerce giant Amazon has made another major move in the Japanese market, officially launching a nationwide logistics upgrade storm.

Amazon Japan announced that it will achieve nationwide next-day delivery coverage by the end of the year, while accelerating the expansion of same-day delivery. Behind this is a powerful infrastructure network and cutting-edge technology.

Image source: Internet

1. Infrastructure First: Network Expansion Supports Ultra-fast Delivery

Amazon clearly recognizes that the foundation for nationwide next-day delivery lies in a robust logistics network. To this end, the company has announced the following key initiatives:

Addition of 6 delivery stations: These stations are the starting point for Amazon's "last mile" delivery, responsible for receiving goods transferred from logistics centers across the country and delivering them directly to consumers' doorsteps. The opening of new stations will significantly shorten end-point delivery times.

Construction of 16 new logistics centers: These centers handle core functions such as product storage and packaging, and also share part of the delivery tasks. Their establishment will greatly enhance Amazon's overall warehousing capacity and regional coverage density in Japan, providing a solid foundation for rapid delivery services.

Image source: ukiyo-journal

2. Technology Empowerment: Heavy Investment to Improve Efficiency and Safety

To ensure continuous, efficient, and safe operations, Amazon is making major technological upgrades to its Asia-Pacific delivery network, with a particular focus on the Japanese market:

Specialized technology investment: The company plans to invest over $60 million in Japan by the end of the year. This funding will be dedicated to deploying technological solutions that enhance the safety and operational convenience of delivery stations.

Automation and technological innovation: Amazon is actively investing in a variety of cutting-edge technologies and automation solutions aimed at reshaping the product delivery process. The goal is not only to achieve faster delivery and lower operating costs, but also to create a more ergonomic, safer, and comfortable working environment for employees.

Image source: linkedin

4. Green Benchmark: Largest Logistics Center in Western Japan to be Completed in August, Aiming for Zero Carbon Certification

As an important part of the logistics network upgrade and technological investment, the new logistics center jointly built by Amazon and Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. has attracted much attention:

Scale and positioning: The center is located in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, and is scheduled to be officially put into use in August. Specially customized by Mitsubishi Estate for Amazon, it has a total building area of about 125,000 square meters and a product storage capacity of up to about 1.37 million cubic feet. Upon completion, it will become Amazon's largest logistics center in western Japan.

Sustainability practices: Amazon and Mitsubishi Estate are working closely together to introduce multiple advanced environmental technologies at the center, including geothermal air conditioning systems and wall-mounted solar power generation equipment. These measures are intended to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from daily facility operations and focus on lowering "embodied carbon" (i.e., CO2 emissions generated throughout the entire process of building material production, transportation, construction, maintenance, and final disposal).

Certification goal: With its leading sustainable design and operational philosophy, the center is expected to become the first building in Japan to obtain Zero Carbon Certification from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), setting a new green logistics benchmark for the industry.

Image source: Internet

Amazon Japan's newly announced multi-dimensional plan clearly outlines its strategic path with "nationwide next-day delivery" as its core goal.

By simultaneously promoting large-scale expansion of the logistics network (delivery stations + logistics centers), deep upgrades to delivery services (nationwide next-day delivery + expanded same-day delivery), heavy investment in technology (safety, efficiency, automation), and the construction of green benchmark projects (large logistics center in Nagoya), Amazon is systematically strengthening its leading position in Japan's e-commerce logistics sector.

This round of investment will not only greatly enhance the consumer experience and set new industry timeliness standards, but also demonstrates Amazon's commitment to sustainable operations. As the year-end goal approaches, the speed of online shopping delivery for consumers across Japan will see a significant improvement.