The new Logistics Efficiency Law will finally come into effect in April 2026! We'll provide a detailed and easy-to-understand overview of its contents and solutions using maps and people flow data!
Have you ever heard the term "Logistics Problem of 2024"?
This refers to the "logistics crisis," which arises when the introduction of limits on overtime work in the logistics industry threatens to make it impossible to transport goods as before. This is an important institutional reform implemented to correct the long working hours of truck drivers and improve their working conditions.
In response to these challenges, the government and logistics industry associations are working to further improve the environment, and the "Revisions tothe Two Logistics Laws" came into effect onApril1,2026.
On the other hand, many people may have heard of the amendments to the two logistics laws, but may not be familiar with their details.
Therefore, in this article, we will focus on the key points of the amendments to the "Logistics Efficiency Improvement Act," one of the two revised logisticslaws, and explain them in an easy-to-understand manner.
We will also introduce GeoTechnologies, Inc.' map data, people flow data, and other useful resources that can help improve logistics efficiency.
First, if you're interested in how map data can be useful for efficient smart delivery, please see this document.
Main contents of the Logistics Efficiency Law
The main contents of the Logistics Efficiency Improvement Act are the following two points:
① Reduction of waiting and loading/unloading times
To reduce the time drivers are required to work, it is necessary to streamline ancillary tasks that occur in addition to driving, such as waiting for and handling cargo, reception, handling of delivery slips, labeling, and inspection.
The government has set targetsto reduce these times, aiming to limit "waiting and loading/unloading time per tripto within twohours" and "timeperloading/unloadingto within one hour."
This aims to reduce the average driver's working hours by 125 hours per year.
② Improved loading efficiency
Through promoting joint delivery and reviewing delivery frequencies, it is necessary to optimize the amount of cargo loaded per trip and improve the loading efficiency of trucks. The governmenthas set a target of increasing loading efficiency to44 % by2028 through these efforts.
Starting April1,2026, businesses handling cargo above acertain volume will be designated as "specified businesses."
If designated as a specified business operator, some of the initiatives that were previously considered voluntarywill become legal obligations with penalties.
If a company violates its obligations or fails to comply with an improvement order,it may face measures such as a fine of up to 1 million yen or public disclosure of its name.
However, the regulations do not apply to all businesses, but only to those that meet certain criteria.
The scope and requirements will be explained in detail later.
The amendment to the Logistics Efficiency Law stems from the worsening shortage of drivers. If this shortage continues, the logistics network, a vital infrastructure supporting the Japanese economy, may cease to function properly, potentially leading to a stagnation of overall economic activity. To prevent this, it is essential to create a more favorable working environment throughout the logistics industry and transform it into a sustainable and attractive industry.
Contents of the amendment to the Logistics Efficiency Law
Designation of specific carriers
From April 1, 2026, "Specified Business Operators (Specified Transportation Business Operators)" will be designated from among businesses that handle cargo above a certain scale.
Once designated as a specified business operator, some of the initiatives that were previously considered best efforts become legal obligations, and penalties for violations of these obligations will also apply. We will explain specified business operators (specified transport operators) in more detail later.
Obligations and penalties for designated carriers
Specified shippers and specified chain retailers designated as specified businesses are subject to the following three main obligations:
①Appointment of a CLO (Chief Logistics Officer)
A person in charge must be appointed from the executive level of management and reported to the government. Note that the Chief Logistics Officer (CLO) is commonly referred to as such, and this article will also use the term CLO.
② Creation and submission of a medium- to long-term plan
A medium- to long-term plan of approximately five years for improving logistics efficiency must be formulated and submitted to the relevant minister.
③ Submission of periodic reports
Every year, you are required to regularly report on the progress of your initiatives, as well as actual measured values of loading and unloading times.
Next, I will introduce the penalties imposed on specific businesses.
Appointment of CLO (Chief Logistics Officer)
From April1,2026,the appointment of a designated representative will become a legal obligation for designated shippers and designated chain retailers, and violationsmay result in a fine of up to 1 million yen.Onthe other hand, non-designated retailers are not obligated to appoint a representative, and their obligation remains limited to making efforts.
Preparation and submission of medium- to long-term plans
From April 1, 2026, this will become a legal obligation for specified shippers and specified chain logistics operators. They will be required to compile and submit a plan outlining their medium- to long-term initiatives for improving logistics efficiency, and failure to complymay result in a fine of up to 500,000 yen.This obligation does not apply to non-specified operators.
Submission of periodic reports
From April 1, 2026, specified shippers and specified chain retailers will be legally required to report their progress and performance annually, and violationsmay result in a fine of up to 500,000 yen.Non-specified businesses will not be required to submit reports, and a system of voluntary reporting is being considered.
Efforts to improve logistics efficiency
From April 1, 2025, all businesses are required to make efforts to comply with regulations. From April1,2026,this will be raised to a legal obligation for specified shippers and specified chain businesses, and businesses that are significantly insufficient in their efforts may be subject to recommendations or orders. In the event of a violation of an order, a fine of up to 1 million yen may be imposed. On the other hand, non-specified businesses will continue to be subject to the obligation to make efforts even after 2026. GeoTechnologies, Inc.' large vehicle regulation data, which is useful for reducing waiting times for loading and unloading, will be explained in detail later. For those who want to know more details now, please click here.
GeoTechnologies, Inc. data contributes to logistics DX
Large vehicle regulations data (Vehicle type regulation)
By using data on restrictions for large vehicles, it is possible to set up delivery routes that avoid roads that are impassable for certain vehicles.
If delivery routes are searched using only passenger car restriction data that does not reflect large vehicle restriction data, some vehicle types may be unable to use certain routes. This forces drivers to detour to avoid impassable roads, which can cause delays. Furthermore, in unfamiliar areas, it may be necessary to request confirmation and instructions from the distribution center for new delivery routes, which can take even more time. Setting delivery routes using large vehicle restriction data is effective in ensuring on-time arrivals and reducing waiting times for loading and unloading.
GeoTechnologies, Inc. is strengthening its collection of regulatory data for large vehicles in order to comply with the Logistics Efficiency Act. The number of traffic regulation data entries for large vehicles will reach 387,984 as of autumn 2024, an increase of approximately 20 times compared to spring 2020, and the company will continue to develop and update the data beyond 2024.
The regulatory data for large vehicles includes the 10 types of regulations listed in the table below, as well as regulations for highway entrances and exits, and weekend/nighttime regulations in central Tokyo. The data covers roads nationwide, from national highways to small streets. For detailed information on Vehicle type regulation, including those for large vehicles, please see this page.
This large vehicle restriction data is compiled by using AI to extract sign information from images taken at 5-meter intervals while actually driving on roads nationwide. The images taken at 5-meterintervals contain various information about the road, including signs and road markings, and can also be used as training data for AI. If you are interested in road driving image data, please see this page.
Please refer to the table below for information on 10 types of traffic restrictions related to large vehicles (trucks and buses).
*Trends in the number of development projects by GeoTechnologies, Inc.
Vehicle type regulation is available not only through the map database (MapFan DB) but also via the map API (MapFan API). You can choose between the database and the API depending on your system.
<Reference> Example of differences between route search results reflecting large vehicle restrictions and those for passenger cars: Top is the route search result for passenger cars, bottom is the route search result for large vehicles.
Map data (map background data) / Road network data
Map data (background data) can be used in a dynamic management system that displays the current location of trucks.
A fleet management system is a system that allows you to track the location and driving status of trucks in real time on a map and manage them centrally.
Based on location information obtained from GPS and other sources, administrators can check the current location, route, and progress of each truck in real time from their office. Using a fleet management system eliminates the need to call drivers to confirm their current location, allowing for accurate and instantaneous assessment of truck location and status. Furthermore, by utilizing road network data, the fleet management system can implement a function that searches for estimated arrival times at destinations based on the truck's current location. Combining this with the aforementioned heavy vehicle restriction data and the traffic congestion data described later enables flexible instructions to drivers to match estimated arrival times, even in the event of delays due to traffic congestion.
Traffic congestion information data
GeoTechnologies, Inc. possesses traffic congestion data utilizing people flow data. By utilizing this traffic congestion information, it becomes possible to proactively avoid the risk of delays in arrival times. Since the time it takes to reach a destination is greatly affected by road conditions, it is extremely important to have access to real-time traffic information.
Furthermore, since traffic congestion tends to occur repeatedly depending on the day of the week and time of day, using past traffic congestion statistics allows us to understand in advance "which roads will be congested and at what time." Planning deliveries based on such statistical data is also a way to minimize unnecessary waiting times and delays.
What is a designated carrier?
Designated businesses are defined under the revised Logistics Efficiency Improvement Act as shippers, chain retailers, warehouse operators, and freight trucking companies that meet certain criteria. Designated by the government to understand the actual state of logistics and promote efficiency, they have a significant impact on the entire logistics system. Therefore, they are obligated to take measures such as reducing waiting and handling times and improving loading efficiency, and after designation, they are required to formulate plans and report on their performance.
<Main Criteria>
As a guideline, businesses exceeding a certain scale, such as those handling 90,000 tons or more of cargo annually, are eligible.
<Types of Specified Business Operators>
shipper
This refers to businesses that send and receive cargo.
Type 1 shipper (consignor): Manufacturers and other "senders" who send goods.
Type 2 shipper (consignee): Retailers, factories, etc., "the party receiving the goods."
Chained operator
This category includes headquarters businesses that operate franchise chains or similar systems and have a certain level of freight volume or higher.
Designated Warehouse Operators
Warehouse operators that store large quantities of cargo have criteria such as having stored 700,000 tons or more in the previous fiscal year.
Specified freight motor vehicle transportation business operator
This applies to large-scale trucking companies, such as those that own 150 or more commercial vehicles.
Obligations required of specified businesses
Once designated as a specified business operator, the following measures will be mandatory.
Reduced waiting and loading/unloading times (reduced burden on drivers)
Appointment of a Logistics Supervisor (to promote the optimization of the entire logistics system)
What is a chain business?
In a franchise business, if the headquarters can give instructions regarding the delivery of goods between the franchisee and the transporter, the headquarters is considered a "chain operator." The same applies if the headquarters can effectively give instructions through the franchisee.
On the other hand, if the headquarters is unable to issue these instructions (including through franchisees), then the business does not qualify as a "chain business operator."
Are the addresses for franchise chains up-to-date? Addresses can change due to municipal mergers or urban redevelopment. If the address is outdated, packages may not be delivered. GeoTechnologies, Inc. offers an address verification service that updates the address to the latest one and adds latitude and longitude information to the address before returning it to you.
This time, we provided a detailed explanation of the revised Logistics Efficiency Act, which came into effect in April 2026.
The amendment to the Logistics Efficiency Law is the first step in promoting digital transformation (DX) in the logistics industry and transforming it into a more attractive industry.
Logistics DX requires objective data. In particular, reducing waiting times, which is the core of the Logistics Efficiency Act, requires dynamic management using map data, delivery route creation utilizing large vehicle restriction data, and traffic congestion information. GeoTechnologies, Inc. possesses map data, large vehicle restriction data, traffic congestion data, and more. If you are considering building a system to comply with the Logistics Efficiency Act, please feel free to contact us.
Inquiries regarding services for corporate clients
For inquiries, please click here.
Related articles
-
2025.01.24Introduction to Digital MapsMapFan is a map website that allows you to search for routes for large trucks. Recommended for truck drivers and dispatchers!
-
2020.06.30Introduction to Digital MapsDigital maps are also protected by copyright! You might be using them without permission without realizing it. Printing or reusing digital maps requires permission from the map-making company.
-
2025.07.29Introduction to Digital MapsWhat are the new trucking laws and the revised Freight Motor Vehicle Transportation Business Act? We'll explain them in an easy-to-understand way.
