Fact-Finding Survey on SMEs: 'Survey on the Amended Logistics Law' Conducted Among 316 SME Employees, Representative Directors, and Sole Proprietors

Awareness of the '2026 Logistics Problem' stands at 26.9%, while progress on countermeasures by shippers is at 12.1%.

Among logistics operators and drivers, 84.6% report 'no change' in overtime hours following the 2024 system reform.

Furthermore, 43.6% have been approached by partner logistics companies (such as shipping firms) for price revisions due to the series of amended logistics laws. Of those, 82.4% fully accepted the requests.

Due to legal reforms and growing social awareness regarding logistics since 2024, some respondents noted that 'internal paperless operations and back-office efficiency have advanced' and 'there is now a legitimate reason to request appropriate price increases from business partners.'

Freeway Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tatsuya Inoue; hereinafter 'Freeway Japan') conducted a 'Survey on the Amended Logistics Law' targeting a total of 316 individuals, including 181 representative directors and sole proprietors, and 135 employees of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The survey results are as follows.

When reprinting the contents of this release, please state 'Survey by Freeway Japan' as the source.

Survey Overview

Survey Title: 'Survey on the Amended Logistics Law'

Survey Method: Internet Research

Survey Period: April 7–13, 2026

Survey Target: 316 SME employees, representative directors, and sole proprietors

[Regarding the Source]

When reproducing the contents of this survey, please clearly specify Freeway Japan Co., Ltd. as the source.

<Detailed Survey Results>

TOPIC 1: Awareness of the '2026 Logistics Problem' is 26.9%, falling below the '2024 Logistics Problem.' 84.6% of logistics operators and drivers report 'no change' in overtime hours due to the 2024 system reform.

◇ Relationship with logistics and product delivery in business (or personal duties)

Q1. How is your company's business (or your own duties) related to logistics or product delivery? (Single Answer)

Target: 316 SME employees, representative directors, and sole proprietors

When asked about their involvement in logistics or product delivery, 65.8% answered 'Not directly involved in product delivery or shipping: Other,' 24.7% answered 'Outsourcing the delivery and shipping of our own products to other companies: Sending side / so-called 'Shipper',' and 9.5% answered 'Conducting transportation and delivery operations in-house: Carrying side / Logistics operators and drivers.'

◇ What is the awareness level of the 'Logistics Problem'? Awareness of the '2026 Logistics Problem' is lower than that of the '2024 Logistics Problem.'

Q2. How much do you know about the '2024 Logistics Problem'? (Single Answer)

Target: 316 SME employees, representative directors, and sole proprietors

When asked about their knowledge of the '2024 Logistics Problem,' 37.7% answered 'Understand,' 29.1% said 'Can't say either way,' 24.1% selected 'Heard of it, but don't understand,' 6.6% stated 'Don't know at all,' and 2.5% answered 'Deeply understand.'

Q3. How much do you know about the '2026 Logistics Problem'? (Single Answer)

Target: 316 SME employees, representative directors, and sole proprietors

Furthermore, regarding the '2026 Logistics Problem,' 30.1% said 'Heard of it, but don't understand,' 27.8% answered 'Can't say either way,' 26.3% selected 'Understand,' 15.2% stated 'Don't know at all,' and 0.6% answered 'Deeply understand.'

◇ Asking logistics operators and drivers: 84.6% report 'no change' in overtime hours due to the 2024 system reform.

Q4. Have your overtime hours changed due to the 2024 system reform? (Single Answer)

Target: Those who answered 'Carrying side / Logistics operators and drivers' in Q1, and further answered 'Deeply understand' or 'Understand' in Q2 (n=13)

When asking those who identified as the 'Carrying side' and understood the '2024 Logistics Problem' about changes in their overtime hours, 84.6% reported 'No change,' 15.4% said 'Overtime hours decreased,' and 0.0% stated 'Overtime hours increased.'

◇ 20.0% of respondents 'can' expect improvement in working styles from the 'Amended Logistics Efficiency Law' starting April 1, 2026.

Q5. Can you expect improvement in working styles from the 'Amended Logistics Efficiency Law' starting April 1, 2026? (Single Answer)

Target: Those who answered 'Carrying side / Logistics operators and drivers' in Q1, and further answered 'Deeply understand' or 'Understand' in Q3 (n=10)

When asking those who identified as the 'Carrying side' and understood the '2026 Logistics Problem', expectations