September 14, 2026 Approval of Amendments to the Terms and Conditions for International Mail

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) received an application from Japan Post Co., Ltd. for approving changes to its postal terms and conditions, in accordance with Article 68, Paragraph 1 of the Postal Act (Act No. 165 of 1947). The MIC then consulted the matter with the Information and Communications and Posts Administrative Council, chaired by AIDA Hitoshi, specially-appointed professor at the University of Tokyo. The MIC has received a report from the Council stating that approval should be granted as consulted.
　Based on the Council's opinion, the MIC has granted approval regarding the application.

Note: The published materials are in Japanese only.

Approving amendments to the terms and conditions for international mail in response to the revision of the Universal Postal Convention

（1）Background and content of application

1. With regard to international reply coupons, demand for international reply coupons has declined significantly in recent years along with the global decline in postal use. In response to this trend, the Universal Postal Convention and the Regulations to the Universal Postal Convention were amended at the UPU Congress held in September 2025, resulting in the discontinuation of international reply coupons. Accordingly, Japan Post Co., Ltd. has also decided to discontinue international reply coupons.
2. In light of the actual operation of the classification of postal items, the Universal Postal Convention and the Regulations to the Universal Postal Convention were amended at the UPU Congress held in September 2025 to change the size requirements and maximum weight for letter-post items containing documents only and to remove “roll form items” from the size requirements. In addition, “roll form items” were removed from the minimum size requirements for parcel-post items.
3. In order to simplify the product lineup for the international postal services, the Universal Postal Convention was amended at the UPU Congress held in September 2025, and the insured items service will be limited to priority letter-post items containing only documents and parcels. Accordingly, the provisions concerning insured items will be clarified.
4. In connection with the revision of the Universal Postal Convention, the Islamic Republic of Iran submitted a reservation stating that it may refuse liability for compensation to the addressee and limit payment of compensation to the sender of the postal item, and this reservation was adopted. Accordingly, the reservation will be reflected in the Terms and Conditions for International Mail so as to avoid any misunderstanding that the right to claim compensation is transferred to the addressee if the sender waives their own right.
5. With regard to receipt notices for letter-post items, which were discontinued on December 31, 2024, certain aspects of their handling had continued for the time being under the supplementary provisions. As coordination with the relevant parties has now been completed, the handling of receipt notices will be discontinued.

（2）Scheduled implementation date

　January 1, 2027