Japan Post could end Saturday standard mail deliveries next year after ministry moves to stop service

A government panel decided Tuesday to end Saturday delivery for standard mail to deal with a labor shortage at Japan Post Co. and a drop in demand due to increased use of the internet. The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry accepted the proposal from the panel and will seek a law amendment at an extraordinary Diet session this fall. Delivery on Saturday could be terminated possibly next year and it will be available only on weekdays. The panel also proposed that delivery for standard mail the day after posting be ended. Japan Post, a unit of Japan Post Holdings Co., has been calling for a review to trim standard mail service hours to five days a week from the current six days to address the workforce shortage.