This report presents the results of the Standard Freight Rate survey conducted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's Logistics and Automobile Bureau, covering the utilization status and rate negotiation practices among truck operators and shipper companies.
Key Points
1. Survey Overview
- Survey period: March 17-28, 2025
- Targets: Japan Trucking Association member operators (approx. 1,100), White Logistics Movement participating shippers (approx. 200)
- Method: Web-based survey
- Background: New "Standard Freight Rates" announced in March 2024 with 8% average increase reflecting fuel cost surges
2. Recognition and Understanding of Standard Freight Rates
- Truck operator recognition: 86% (36% know amounts, 50% understand cost calculation methods)
- Unchanged from previous year (FY2023) at 86%
- Lower recognition among smaller operators (5 trucks or less)
- Shipper recognition: 67% understand amounts and calculation methods (down from 80% in FY2023)
3. Cost Calculation Implementation Status
- Operators conducting cost calculations: 84% (83% in FY2023)
- Using standard freight rate calculation methods: 21%
- Using proprietary methods: 63%
- Not conducting calculations: 16% (59 of 160 companies cited "don't know how")
4. Rate Negotiation Implementation and Results
- Operators conducting negotiations: 74% (up from 71% in FY2023)
- Operators receiving some understanding from shippers: 75% of negotiators (approx. 55% overall)
- Reasons for not negotiating: "Fear of contract termination" 87 companies, "Considering shipper's business situation" 85 companies
- Operators receiving 80% or more of standard rates: approx. 45%
5. Changes in Received Amounts Through Negotiations
- Average increase per trip: 2,318 yen
- Of 1,093 contracts: No change 595 (54%), Increased 379 (35%), Decreased 119 (11%)
- Increase breakdown: 1-2,000 yen increase 110 contracts (29%) highest, followed by 2,001-4,000 yen increase 62 contracts (16%)
6. Driver Wage Increase Status
- Companies implementing wage increases using rate increases: 60%
- Average wage increase rates: 5% or less 67%, 6-10% 23%, 11-20% 7%, 21% or more 3%
- Rate increases received but no wage increases: 17%
- No rate increases and no wage increases: 11%
The article reveals that while the standard freight rate system has gained some traction with improving negotiation implementation and success rates, actual receipt of 80% or more of standard rates remains below half of operators.