June 13, 2024 Promulgation of the Ministerial Ordinances Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Postal Act and the Regulations for Enforcement of the Act on Correspondence Delivery by Private Business Operators

 The Ministerial Ordinances Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Postal Act and the Regulations for Enforcement of the Act on Correspondence Delivery by Private Business Operators (hereinafter referred to as the "Draft Ministerial Ordinances") was approved at the ministerial meeting concerning price issues. In response, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has promulgated these Ministerial Ordinances.

1. Outline and purpose of the amendment

 To ensure continuous and stable provision of postal services, the revision involves an increase in the maximum charge for first-class mail, as set forth in Article 23 of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Postal Act (MIC Ordinance No. 5 of 2003), with a standard size and weighing 25 grams or less (hereinafter referred to as "standard-sized mail") from 84 yen to 110 yen.
 In response to the review of the upper limit of the standard-sized mail charge, it is necessary to ensure equal competitive conditions between Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd. and general mail carriers. This requires revisions to the general correspondence services stipulated in Article 23 of the Regulations for Enforcement of the Act on Correspondence Delivery by Private Business Operators (MIC Ordinance No. 27 of 2003). Specifically, the upper limit for charges for correspondence items handled in the general correspondence services with the same size and shape as the standard-sized mail has been changed from 84 yen to 110 yen.

2. Referral to the plenary session of the Consumer Commission and to the relevant ministerial meeting on price issues

 At the plenary session of the Consumer Commission held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, it was determined that the Draft Ministerial Ordinances are valid. The MIC and Japan Post Holding Co., Ltd. were advised to consider certain points for the future.
 At the ministerial meeting on price issues held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, it was decided to revise the Draft Ministerial Ordinances as originally proposed, and the government's policy on the matter was also presented.

3. Promulgation and enforcement of the revised ministerial ordinances, etc.

 In response to the approval at the relevant ministerial meeting on price issues, the MIC has today promulgated the following ministerial ordinances:

• Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Postal Act (MIC Ordinance No. 63 of 2024)
• Ministerial Ordinance Partially Amending the Regulations for Enforcement of the Act on Correspondence Delivery by Private Business Operators (MIC Ordinance No. 64 of 2024)