JAL Partners Japan Post to Launch Cool EMS

Japan Airlines and Japan Post will together launch Cool EMS - a new international speed post service of small, temperature-sensitive parcels from Japan to addresses in Taiwan and Singapore.

A trial period will take place between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014.

Japan is well-known for the superior quality, safety and freshness of its foods and with the number of visitors to Japan increasing over the years, demand in other parts of Asia for the country's food and culinary ingredients such as fruits and other agricultural produce, Japanese raw fish (sashimi) and other seafood, as well as its regional specialties, have been on the rise.

Most people seeking fresh Japanese food outside of Japan are limited to selections available at local supermarkets, or supplies that they had brought back as souvenirs from a visit to Japan. Direct delivery of such temperature-sensitive perishables in amounts for personal consumption has not previously been an option.

Meeting the growing demand of non-Japanese overseas and of Japanese nationals abroad for such fresh Japanese fare, Cool EMS has been created to provide a solution for transporting foodstuff from Japan at optimum temperatures to ensure that freshness and safety standards are maintained.

Cool EMS utilizes Japan Post's international speed post service that offers overnight delivery to major cities in Asia so that parcels arrive the following day, and leverages JAL Cargo's expertise in the area of temperature-controlled freight where it has developed advanced procedures and equipment such as various types of temperature-controlled containers, to handle high value, temperature-sensitive cargo like pharmaceuticals.

Parcels with a maximum weight of 15kg and a size within the dimensions of 34cm in length, 26cm in width and 23cm in height will be accepted and transported in special cold containers at temperatures kept between two and ten degree Celsius for as long as 72 to 80 hours.

Going forward, JAL and Japan Post are planning to expand this service of transporting temperature-sensitive goods, including frozen products, to a wider part of Asia such as Hong Kong, Shanghai and South Korea.

The initiative will undoubtedly support small and medium-sized companies in Japan, giving them the chance to carve out new business opportunities overseas.