Current location:politics >>
VOX POPULI: Time to end the excessive pursuit of convenience with deliveries
politics569People have gathered around
IntroductionUntil about 40 years ago, it was a daily task of rookie reporters at The Asahi Shimbun’s local branc ...
Until about 40 years ago, it was a daily task of rookie reporters at The Asahi Shimbun’s local branch offices to take turns going to the train station, carrying a bag of their colleagues’ handwritten articles and black-and-white developed photos.
The bag would be deposited at the station’s dedicated counter to be transported by night train to the head office where the articles would be typeset.
This process was called “genko bin,” which translates as something like “article shipping.”
One of my superiors recalled fondly, “We were supposed to take turns according to our daily duty roster, but I was made to do it every day because I was at the bottom of the totem pole.”
My superior was young then and society itself must have been young, too.
Various parts of the nation were connected by rail to enable the movement of goods. For a long time since the end of World War II, rail transport played the central role in logistics.
But in 1986, the rapid growth of parcel delivery trucking services caused the trains specializing in the transport of items and luggage to be decommissioned.
I have brought up these old stories because I recently came across the expression “modal shift” in The Asahi Shimbun.
New overtime regulations for truck drivers went into effect on April 1, putting an end to their traditional style of work. The idea of a modal shift is to switch from trucking to rail and sea transport.
Come to think of it, this is no big deal—we’ll just be going back to the old genko bin days.
I suppose the issue now is how best to rectify the problems that we’ve created in the course of our pursuit of convenience.
If we are no longer able to live without the conveniences we’ve become accustomed to, then we’ll just have to do the obvious: Pay a fair price for the meticulous service we expect to get, so that delivery workers will receive higher wages.
There are people driving their vehicles at midnight and then sweating as they run up the stairs to meet the package delivery deadline, making sure they are punctual to the second.
You are looking at only one side of the situation if you believe that just one click is all it takes to get your order delivered to your door within the day.
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 3
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“International Issue news portal”。http://russia.popular-vines.com/html-79d199920.html
Related articles
CPC Leadership Discusses Draft Gov't work Report
politicsContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
【politics】
Read moreWill the Bank of England cut interest rates soon? This is Money podcast
politicsThe Bank of England held interest rates again this week as inflation dropped once more. So, are we o ...
【politics】
Read morethe remote Canadian Island known as MARS on earth! It is so otherworldly, NASA uses it for research
politicsA cratered, rusty-red wasteland littered with rocks that's arid, bitterly cold and devoid of plant l ...
【politics】
Read more
Popular articles
- Hong Kong holds digital economy summit, eyes sustainable future
- Independent publisher rejected from taking part in Hong Kong Book Fair
- Independent publisher rejected from taking part in Hong Kong Book Fair
- 'Sorry, you can't board, off you pop': Traveller reveals how he was caught out by a post
- Xi, Portuguese president exchange congratulations on 45th anniversary of bilateral ties
- Your state pension might NOT increase by the full 8.5% this month
Latest articles
DPP manipulates tourism for political purposes, harms cross
Greece gives away 25,000 free holidays
This is Money
Four farm silos listed for £200k and they can be converted to a fabulous family home
Xi holds talks with Iranian president, eyeing new progress in ties
A nation of explorers? Poll reveals that nearly a quarter of Brits have never even visited SCOTLAND
LINKS
- Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese hope to carry over college momentum to the WNBA
- Jones carries Xinjiang past Beijing in CBA
- Several gun bills inspired by mass shooting are headed for final passage in Maine
- Eberl ringing alarm bells for Bayern ahead of Arsenal duel
- Chinese tourists flock to savor trendy immersive experiences
- Tardy claims maiden LPGA title at Blue Bay in China
- Beyoncé is bringing her fans of color to country music. Will they be welcomed in?
- China's golden week glitters with booming tourism, cultural consumption
- Shandong city seeks to capitalize on barbecue fame
- 'Village Super League' draws global football enthusiasts