The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has declared the suspension of 3,333 light cargo vehicles following audits that confirmed improper roll calls at 1,862 post offices. This decision was announced on the 10th and represents the culmination of a series of actions taken since October of last year, aimed at ensuring compliance with transport safety regulations. The Minister, Kazuhiro Kaneko, emphasized the gravity of the situation by stating that failure to properly conduct roll calls undermines transport safety and urged for strict adherence to measures preventing recurrence.

The violations stem from the Cargo Vehicle Transport Business Act, which mandates the protocol for vehicle operation and safety management. The Ministry's investigation was prompted by a report in March that uncovered improper roll calls in the Kansai region. Subsequent inspections revealed that about 75% of the 3,188 postal offices surveyed had engaged in similar violations, prompting widespread audits and compliance enforcement across the country.

Moreover, the impact of these suspensions isn't limited to light cargo vehicles. The Ministry also canceled the permits for larger trucks used by Japan Post after finding similar discrepancies in conduct. As a result, Japan Post has started relying on other transport firms for logistics support, reflecting the heightened scrutiny and operational challenges the postal services are facing due to these compliance issues. The full reinstatement of the suspended vehicles is set for June 1, 2024, signifying a significant moment in Japan's postal operations as they navigate through this regulatory upheaval.