#Japan #Tokyo #Sustainable Logistics #Japanese Edible Oils #YBM Conference

Launch of the YBM Conference

A significant new initiative has emerged in Japan's edible oil sector, spearheaded by three major companies: J-Oil Mills, Nisshin OilliO Group, and Showa Sangyo. Collaborating with the Nippon Edible Oil Association, they have established the YBM Conference (Yoshitsu Logistics Future Promotion Conference) aimed at addressing pressing logistics challenges in the industry and promoting sustainable practices.

Background and Objectives

Starting in 2024, new regulations will limit overtime for truck drivers, complicating long-distance transport and emphasizing the urgent need to secure human resources and enhance logistics efficiency. To achieve sustainable logistics, it is crucial to reduce truck drivers' working hours while fully utilizing limited truck transport capacity.

The edible oil sector, particularly in food service operations, often deals with heavy packaging forms, such as tin and drum containers, and has a high logistical burden due to the prevalence of additional handling tasks, like bulk deliveries. The situation demands ongoing initiatives to streamline operations, especially to fulfill supply responsibilities consistently. Recognizing this, the Nippon Edible Oil Association has initiated various awareness campaigns within its committees. In December 2023, the association plans to establish and publicly announce its autonomous action plan.

The three companies, as vice presidents of the Nippon Edible Oil Association, collectively recognize this urgency. They aim to enhance logistics sustainability by considering product characteristics and delivery forms, focusing on business-to-business products. The YBM Conference will work collaboratively to examine specific measures that can lead to logistics efficiency, sharing best practices and experiences among participating companies. Insights and discussions from the conference will be disseminated through the Nippon Edible Oil Association and invitations to join the initiative will be extended to other member companies.

Themes of Collaboration

The YBM Conference will focus on a range of themes:

• - Understanding and sharing trends surrounding logistics in the processing food industry, with an emphasis on the business sector.
• - Formulating specific logistics efficiency measures in line with new logistics improvement laws and the autonomous action plan.
• - Sharing best practices in logistics challenges, including examples of 'white logistics' from both shippers and receivers.
• - Gathering the latest developments in logistics digital transformation and physical internet technologies.

The conference seeks to foster an environment of cooperation among industry players, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring the sustainable future of the edible oil sector. This collaborative effort signifies a crucial step forward in addressing the complexities of logistics while committing to eco-friendly practices.

Conclusion

The establishment of the YBM Conference marks a pivotal moment in the edible oil industry in Japan. By bringing together industry leaders, the conference hopes not only to tackle current logistical challenges but also to set a new standard for sustainability in logistics practices, ensuring a more resilient supply chain in the years to come.