#Open Innovation #Japan #Tokyo #Japan Post #Digital Address

Launch of the Digital Address Open Innovation Consortium

On January 23, 2026, a new collaborative consortium named the "Digital Address Open Innovation" officially launched to tackle Japan's addressing issues through cross-industry partnerships. This initiative sees participation from notable organizations including the APA Group, Aflac Life Insurance, GMO MakeShop, Salesforce Japan, Rakuten Group, the University of Tokyo, Japan Post, and Packcity Japan. The consortium aims to address the common challenges surrounding addresses that affect various sectors including logistics, finance, and e-commerce.

The unique aspect of this consortium lies in its commitment to expand its collaborative network by welcoming additional partners from industry, academia, and government. This inclusive approach is anticipated to catalyze innovative solutions to address the long-standing and increasing challenges related to address management in contemporary society. Notably, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Digital Agency will join as observers to further enhance the collaborative efforts.

Background and Objectives of the Consortium

Addresses play a critical role in various domains of society, including mail delivery, logistics, administration, finance, and e-commerce. Despite being a longstanding component of societal infrastructure, the dynamic changes in social structures and lifestyles have led to challenges in managing, updating, and verifying addresses. These issues are not confined to specific industries; they are universal societal challenges. In light of this, the consortium was established to explore and improve the concept of addresses that align with the needs of the next generation, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Key Activities of the Consortium

Collaborative Creation and Proof of Concept

The consortium will engage in collaborative efforts with representatives from various sectors, including postal services, logistics, retail, finance, healthcare, and tourism, to conduct proof of concept projects aimed at the practical application of digital addresses.

Technology and System Development

A focal point of the consortium is to share insights on utilizing digital addresses, leading to the joint examination and improvement of relevant technologies and regulatory frameworks.

Evolution of Addressing for Future Generations

The initiative aspires to establish a digital address ecosystem that will facilitate the precise, up-to-date, and unified use of address information, establishing itself as a vital social infrastructure for the future.

Comments from Collaborative Partners

Kazushi Motoya, CEO, APA Group

"We have adopted Japan Post's 'Digital Address' for our self-check-in machines, which significantly reduces manual input errors and streamlines check-in times for guests. By participating in this initiative, we hope to lead the smart transformation of accommodation experiences."

Masatoshi Kodate, President, Aflac Life Insurance

"We have long collaborated with Japan Post in addressing social issues surrounding addresses. Joining the Digital Address Open Innovation is a natural extension of our commitment to creating shared value and improving customer convenience."

Nobuyuki Mukaihata, CEO, GMO MakeShop

"We are excited to collaborate with Japan Post in revolutionizing address inputs in e-commerce. Our goal is to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency by leveraging digital addresses."

Hidenori Tamura, Executive Officer, Salesforce Japan

"This initiative is vital for addressing challenges related to addresses in Japan. We will support the introduction of digital address-related products and promote the digital transformation of customer management areas."

Akitsugu Yanagida, CEO, Packcity Japan

"Participating in this initiative allows us to enhance the efficiency and convenience of our last-mile delivery solutions through the digital address framework."

Ryo Matsumura, Executive Officer, Rakuten Group

"Our collaboration with Japan Post demonstrates our commitment to improving logistics and delivery within e-commerce, aiming for value creation through this innovative endeavor."

Yoshihide Sekimoto, Director, University of Tokyo Spatial Information Science Research Center

"This initiative marks a significant advancement in our efforts to make spatial information, including addresses, more accessible through technology."

Understanding Digital Addresses

Japan Post initiated its address DX (digital transformation) efforts to enhance convenience with the concept of "making addresses more accessible." The digital address service, which started in May 2025, allows users to represent their address in a simplified format—seven alphanumeric characters. This innovation aims to reduce the burden of manually entering lengthy addresses, offering a streamlined process for customers.

Furthermore, digital addresses are linked to a personal 'Yu-ID,' allowing users to maintain their digital address even after moving, thus simplifying information sharing with family and service providers. Importantly, the system is designed with privacy in mind, ensuring that personal information is secure and not directly inferable from the digital address itself.

Closing Thoughts

The establishment of the Digital Address Open Innovation Consortium highlights a significant step toward addressing Japan’s societal challenges related to address management. By fostering collaboration across various sectors, this initiative is poised to reshape how addresses are perceived and utilized in the digital age, leading to a more efficient and sustainable society.