Good morning,everyone.
 It is a great honor for me to be here today
and address the International Warehouse
Association Conference.First of all,I would
like to thank Mr.Bob Redwood and the other
members of the association for this
prestigious opportunity.
 Let me begin this address by discusing the
present Japanese economic condition.It is
said that the Japanese economy has been on a
constructive turning point during the past
several years.
Examples of what is actually happening in
Japan today is:
･････A sluggish growth in the GDP,
･････emergence of a new market with
economoic globalization,

･････and the increasing population of the
aging society.
It is true that Japan should keep the global
standards because of their incresed
influence in the global economy.
 Japanese industries are presently facing
drastic changes and restructuring has become
very necessary．The same factors are true of
the logistics industry. Regarding logistics,the
Japanese goverment determined the "general
principle of logistics "in April，1997．The
warehouse industy responded with import
expansion and improved warehouse facilities
which contrbute to logistics efficiency.lt
also pointed out the importance to practice
storage，distribution and processing utilizing
information networking and automation．

 Next,l would like to talk about "progress in
the Japanese warehouse facilities"
(1)Characteristics of the Japanese
warehouse facilities;
 Most of the warehouses built recently are
concrete with many stories.Geography is the
main reason for this.
Japan is a very small country wlth many
mountains making efficient land and space
limited．
Land prices are extremely expensive，more
noticeable in cities;therefore,building up
with more stories becomes very necessary.
 Secondly,lifts are used to shift the freights.
Forklifts carry freight in and out to the lifts.
Continuous vertical shifting devices are set
up to the lifts.These devices are also used
for shifting to other floors.Portable lifts with
roll conveyors in and out facilitates moving
frejght inexpensively;however,this device is
for convering only.People and forklifts
cannot get inside.
 Third,inside the warehouses,racks are
usually installed to organize the freights
efficiently.The average width of the
hallways is approximately 2.5m to 3.0m so
that forklifts can turn around.
 Forth,the automation warehouse has been
introduced in Japan to some degree;
however,percentage-wise it is still very rare.
Scotch  whiskeys from England or hjgh-grade
wines from France require perfect storage
systems and this is an examlple of when
automation warehouses with computer
control systems are used.

(2)Problems of loading and unloading
in Japan.
 ln Japan,we particularly do not have any
special technical problems;although,there
are two subjects I would like to emphasize.
 First,regarding palletization in Japan. We
have been using palletes in storage,loading
and unloading for over 40 years now;
however,still there is no standardization of
palletization.This is because there is the
difference of needs between thelogistics
industries and the users.Presently,research
institutes are tackling this problem.
 Second,is about the labor force shortage.In
Japan,the fact of the decreasing birth rate
and the increasing of the aging population
diminishes the labor force and affects our
warehouse industry.To solve this problem,
I feel,we must install the loading and
unloading machines,storage facilities and
progress more aggresssively with automation.
(3)Facilities respond to import.
 In Japan,we are paying more attention to
dealing with imported goods as I mentioned
earlier.
 First,importing the manufactured goods is
more prominent now in Japan．Originally we
imported raw materials and exported
manufactured goods,Overall the quantity of
imported goods has increased substantially.
We have to deal with these facts appropriately.
To be more precise,we should install the
warehouse facilities in the bay area for
imported goods.For instance,it is required
to keep the temperature and humidity fixed
and carry out the containerized freight
promptly.
 We are now in the process of organizing
facilities for imported goods in the inland
areas according to the infrastructure of high
ways.
 Second,it is indispensable and necessary to
construct the jnformation networking
systems within the company and between the
owner of the goods and nations so that the
importing of the goods progresse smoothly.

(1)We propose strategic logistics,
making the most of our 50 year
experience.
 This year,Keihoku Warehouse Co.,Ltd.has
celebrated it's 48th anniversary since 1950
working in logistics.2 years ago,Prime
Minister Mr.Hashimoto mentioned the
importance of logistics,energy and
information telecommnunications as the
foundation of industries in his speech.He set
a goal to catch up with the international
standard regarding quality of these particular
industries by the year 2001.
 The response to the speech."General
principle of the logistics"was issued.The
Japanese administration on logistics will
follow this principle including the problems
of deregulation.In the principle,3 points are
listed as important subjects.
1.Improvement of infrastructure.
2.Propelling the deregulation.
3.Introduction of the highly-leveled
logistics system.
 Keihoku Warehouse Co.,Ltd.also considers
these 3 aspects as important subjects so that
we can overcome social economic structure
changes.We are especially interested  in
reformiung logistics bases.
 In Japan improvement of logistics efficiency
and cost reduction are indispensable in order
to maintain the international
competitiveness.We are expecting
appropriate visions and proposals for
logistics facilities.
(2)We create the future core of
logistics to unite industries,society
and present lifestyles efficiently.
 In the shift of major industries from
material oriented,manufacture and service
operations,the superiority of the logistics
service makes a big difference in effective
strategy.
High quality and promnpt logistics services
are required according to the diversity of
individual customers needs.On the other
hand,reconsideration of the logistics system
are being held for restructuring business.To
be precise,we are trying to systemize all of
the related processes as effectively as we
can,from provision,production to collecting
waste.
(3)We are working on a new process
to change warehouses using creativity,
mixing culfure and information.
 On May 7th 1998,we opened a new
modern multi-functional warehouse.We
sincerely appreciate each and everyone's
kind cooperation and continuous support.
Per our customers request,we provide
"Outsourcing" in order to meet their
personal and corporate needs and demands.
We have the know-how and the facilities
which are able to handle all steps of logistics.
According to the shift and diversification of
clients needs,we are trying to contribute to
communities by supplying high quality
logistics service with cost reduction in mind.
Quality control,efficient packing and high-
level logistics for the distribution process are
the examples of subjects we are presently
dealing with.

(4)We arrange the best warehouse
facility and logistics planning
according to all your various needs.
 The newly opened No.17 warehouse is
systemized for efficient distribution and
trunk line transportation.The facility is
structured  for large-sized vehicles on marine
and railroad transportation and can also
accept the 40×20 feet import containers.
Keihoku Warehouse Co.,Ltd．is located in a
convenient area Which is located
apprroximately 2 minutes frorn the Oji
interchange off the Oji line highway.
This area facilitates the  domestic
transportation enabling convenient access to
7 differenth highways.(Joban,Kanto,Tohoku,
Kanetsu,Tokan,Chuo and Tomei) Total
logistics are supplied as a facility for import,
including information function,high-leveld
distribution process and low-temperature
function,keeping stable temperatures
between 0-10℃ to 5-15℃ to store rice and
other foods for domestic and import.
(5)We are taking the leadership in
networking and digitalization of
logistics.
 Keihoku Logistics Online System recently
established an ordering system,inventory
control,transportation systems with diagram
and a stable temperature logistics system.
We also have a networking TV conference
room equipped with 4 language simultaneous
translation machines,which can enable real
time interational conferences in the new
No.17 warehouse building.Using the
facilites located in the warehouse itself we
can provide a meeting hall for the purpose of
meeting clients,holding exhibitions and
cultural events within the community.
 We offer the best qualified and secured
trunk room using the 1500℃ heat-proof board
for the ceilings,floors and walls on the 6th floor.
Valuable paintings,furs,important documents
and corporate magnetic tapes are the exarnples
of items that are stored in this trunkroom.
Keeping the people's kindness in
mind,we will sincerely do our best to
meet all our clients demands with our
corporate phrase "Create High Quality
Logistics"We Keihoku Warehouse
look forlward to your kind
consideration and advise in the near
future.



(�W) Ending，
 It has been determined that the next annual
conference of IFPWA 1999 will be held in
Tokyo Japan.At that time we would like to
show all of you the progressive technogy of
our warehouse facilities which we are now
preparing for the next year.We are looking
forward to having you to join us and we hope
you will enjoy your visit to Japan.
This concludes my address to you and I
Thank you very much for your valuable time.