Held the 2nd Conference on Realizing Phase-Free Logistics Infrastructure

The Nationwide New Smart Logistics Promotion Council (Tokyo, Chairman: Mitsugu Takenaka, Mayor of Kamishihoro, Hokkaido) held the 2nd 'Conference on Realizing Phase-Free Logistics Infrastructure' on Monday, May 25, 2026.

This conference aims to realize 'phase-free logistics infrastructure' that seamlessly connects normal times and times of disaster. Experts, ministry officials, local governments, and private sector businesses gathered to discuss the enhancement of disaster prevention logistics systems and the utilization of new technologies. It was launched on December 16, 2025, with Associate Professor Sojun Numata of the Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo, serving as chair.

At the second conference, experts from the disaster prevention and logistics fields, along with relevant ministries, provided lectures and reports on policy trends in anticipation of the establishment of the Disaster Prevention Agency, and on building next-generation logistics infrastructure utilizing drones. The members confirmed their commitment to concrete activities this fiscal year toward constructing standard models for next-generation logistics infrastructure and developing policy recommendations.

During the meeting, Mr. Kento Yamamoto, Secretary General of the SGH Disaster Prevention Support Foundation, explained the concept of transforming ten locations nationwide into drone hub stations. He advocated for the necessity of a 'hybrid operation infrastructure' that functions for regional logistics in normal times and as an emergency supply hub during disasters. Reports were also provided by Ms. Yuko Honma, Planning Officer at the Office for the Establishment of the Disaster Prevention Agency, Cabinet Secretariat, on the preparations, and by Mr. Hiromichi Uchida, Deputy Director of the Logistics Policy Division, Logistics and Motor Vehicle Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, on the latest trends in relief supply logistics policy.

Participants emphasized the importance of logistics infrastructure that is used in normal times, not just during disasters, and the necessity for institutional design based on a scientific approach and public-private-academic collaboration. The council will continue to concretize sustainable disaster prevention systems using new technologies such as drones through working groups.