- HOME
- Activities
- Forum List
- Forum Details
April 29th, 2025 KIP Forum "Post-2024 Logistics: The Reality of DX and Legal Reforms"
Lecturer: Mr. Riki Bando, HACOBELL INC.
Profile: After completing the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies / Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies at the University of Tokyo in 2022, he joined RAKSUL INC. He was assigned to the HACOBELL Division, which was later spun off into a separate company before assuming his current position. After launching the "HACOBELL Car Dispatch Plan," which utilizes AI to reduce the number of man-hours spent dispatching cars, he is currently engaged in server-side development of the "HACOBELL Car Dispatch Management," a platform for promoting logistics digital transformations. During his student days, he was active in projects and committees at KIP. He was in charge of creating the website system from the time he was appointed to the committee, and after graduation, he continued to provide great cooperation to the junior members of the committee.
【Speech and Q&A】
At the first KIP forum of the 2025 academic year, we welcomed Mr. Riki Bando, a KIP alumnus, as our guest speaker. Drawing on his experience developing platforms to promote logistics Digital Transformation within the distribution sector, Mr. Bando delivered an insightful lecture on the future of the “logistics” industry, the challenges surrounding the logistics workforce, and the reality of digital transformation and the legal reforms. Mr. Bando first explained the overview of the Japanese logistics industry, emphasizing that logistics plays a crucial role in sustaining commerce and daily life. Logistics is not limited to transportation alone, but also includes storage, cargo handling, and packaging. Particularly in Japan, transport by truck accounts for approximately 90% of the total freight weight. As such, the lecture focused on issues specific to truck transportation. Next, Mr. Bando addressed the challenges the logistics sector is facing. With the rapid growth of the e-commerce market over the past few years, shipment volumes are on the increase. However, at the same time, the industry is dealing with issues such as an aging workforce, long working hours, and low wages for drivers. In response to these severe challenges, new labor-related legislation has been enacted by the government to improve working conditions in the industry, such as introducing limits on drivers’ working hours and obligating primary contractors to record their sub-contractors. Finally, Mr. Bando introduced various kinds of emerging technologies that have the potential to revitalize the logistics industry. These included AI-based distribution systems, automation of warehouses, and a truck reservation system. He also introduced new initiatives such as transport collaboration among logistics companies, and junction transportation, where drivers switch midway through a journey. In the Q&A session, participants posed numerous questions on topics such as the challenges of moving onto a digitalized system, and the obstacles to standardizing a new digital transformation system across the industry. The exchange of ideas between the lecturer and participants was thought-provoking.
【Ground discussion】
Following the lecture, participants engaged in a small-group discussion and a floor discussion. They discussed the theme: “Should free shipping and same-day delivery be continued?” The background for the theme was the increasing concerns over the burden on truck delivery and a recent call from Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency for e-commerce providers to stop free shipping. Those who were against free shipping and same-day delivery pointed out the hidden burdens placed on businesses, particularly on small businesses, who usually pay for the costs associated with free shipping. Some participants argued that same-day delivery is not essential for our lives. On the other hand, arguments in favor of free shipping and same-day delivery emphasized that future technological advancements could make sustainable logistics possible. Some suggested that through mergers and acquisitions, more integrated management would alleviate the multi-layer structures, improving the working conditions of drivers. Some participants questioned whether abolishing free shipping and same-day delivery would truly improve working conditions and solve labor shortages. Since such services are effective strategies for large shipping corporations, abolishing them is not an easy task. Some argued that tackling issues like complex multi-layer structure and unfair wages is more urgent. It was also suggested that everyday actions, such as purchasing several items in one order, are what students can do to alleviate the burden on the Japanese logistics system.
【Personal Opinion】
Before attending the KIP April Forum, I had assumed that individual consumers could do little to alleviate labor shortages in the logistics industry. However, through the lecture and discussion, I realized that small changes, such as making bulk purchases online, can have a small yet meaningful impact. What made the discussion especially enriching was the diverse range of perspectives, from businesses to consumers, provided by participants from diverse backgrounds and interests. It was a thought-provoking discussion, which is unique to KIP, where high school students, university students, and young professionals discuss equally.
Yui Kuze, The University of Tokyo, Agriculture, 4th year