Yamato Group Welcomes New Employees at 2026 Entrance Ceremony

On April 1, 2026, Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd., headquartered in Chuo, Tokyo, hosted its entrance ceremony for the new recruits at the Yamato Group's logistics terminal, Haneda Chronogate in Ota, Tokyo. This year marks a significant milestone with a total of 456 new employees joining the group, including 209 drivers.

Message from President Sakurai

During the ceremony, President Sakurai addressed the newcomers, offering heartfelt welcomes and encouragement. He spoke about his own journey with Yamato Group, which began back in 1998 when the internet was just starting to make its mark on society. Sakurai shared memories of his family's strawberry farming business in Fukuoka, where he nurtured the vision of distributing fresh strawberries nationwide.

With the rapid advancements in technologies like AI, he stressed the transformative power these developments hold over society. Comparing the changes brought by the internet during his early days to the current technological revolution, he emphasized that while the digital landscape continues to evolve, certain core operations, particularly the safe transport of goods and the warmth of personal interactions, cannot be replaced by AI. He believes that as digitization progresses, the value of direct connections with customers becomes ever more crucial.

As he encouraged the new employees to seize this transformative moment as an opportunity for growth, he highlighted three fundamental principles for them to adopt, which echo the company’s founding spirit and philosophy:

1. Take pride in representing Yamato Group.
2. Aim to earn customers' gratitude with your work.
3. Practice courteous greetings.

Sakurai expressed his confidence that the infusion of fresh perspectives from the new recruits into Yamato's inherited DNA would foster new values that could withstand the challenges posed by AI. He called upon them to actively participate in realizing their visions for the future of the company.

Messages from Senior Employees and New Recruits

In addition to President Sakurai's address, seven senior employees welcomed the new hires, celebrating the momentous occasion of the 50th anniversary of Yamato's delivery service. They conveyed that the role of Yamato goes beyond merely delivering goods; it is about connecting people and their sentiments. The dedication to professionalism within the group was highlighted, reassuring the newcomers that their efforts matter as they contribute to a greater mission of fostering connections through logistics.

Representing the new recruits, a spokesperson shared thoughts on their recent transition from student life to the workforce. Reflecting on the past few years, the representative discussed the interconnectedness of the global community and the fast-paced evolution of technology. They expressed their commitment to uphold the core values of the logistics industry and navigate changes while keeping customer sentiments central to their work. The representative concluded by promising to approach every challenge positively and to prioritize the perspectives of customers in their daily operations.

Breakdown of New Recruits

The breakdown of new hires by educational background shows a diverse influx of talent:

- University/Graduate Degrees: 217
- Junior College/Technical School Graduates: 31
- High School Graduates: 208

Company-wide Breakdown:

- Yamato Transport Co., Ltd.: 327 new hires (including 127 with university degrees)
- Okinawa Yamato Transport Co., Ltd.: 6 new hires (all high school graduates)
- Kōnan Industrial Co., Ltd.: 4 new hires (2 with university degrees)
- Nakano Shokai Co., Ltd.: 14 new hires (10 with university degrees)
- Yamato Auto Works Co., Ltd.: 14 new hires (11 with technical education)
- Yamato System Development Co., Ltd.: 90 new hires (78 with university degrees)
- Yamato Multi-Charter Co., Ltd.: 1 new hire (high school graduate)

As Yamato Group steps into a new era, the energy and enthusiasm of these new recruits will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the company's future and enhancing its legacy of service.

Explore More

For those interested in joining the Yamato Group, detailed recruitment information is available on various group companies' websites, offering insights into careers at Yamato:

As we welcome this new cohort of employees, we look forward to seeing how their contributions will shape the future of logistics and connectivity within the Yamato Group and beyond.