JAL, Japan Post to offer trial express mail service of food to Taiwan, Singapore

Business Jan. 30, 2013 - 06:47AM JST ( 1 )

TOKYO —

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Japan Post Co will begin cooperating to offer Cool EMS - a new international speed post service of small, temperature-sensitive parcels from Japan to addresses in Taiwan and Singapore during the trial period of April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014.

Demand in other parts of Asia for Japan’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 been an option until now. Meeting the growing demand of non-Japanese overseas and of Japanese nationals abroad for such fresh Japanese fare, Cool EMS was created to provide the perfect solution of transporting foodstuff from Japan at optimum temperatures to ensure that its reputable 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 2 and 10 degrees Celsius for as long as 72 to 80 hours.