The semi-privatised German post office is reportedly planning to launch operations in Japan ahead of the anticipated privatisation of its Postal Services.

Deutsche Post wants to set up a mail service in Japan this autumn, according to a report in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper in Japan.

The move would be an attempt to steal a lead on Japan's plans to let its Postal Public Corporation expand into international markets.

Postal Public, which is to handle both mail and the post office's savings and insurance services from next spring, is expected to facilitate the privatisation of Japan's postal services.

Contracting out

Deutsche Post's service would deal with direct mail, such as catalogues and pamphlets, from companies to consumers.

Japanese firms mailing customers in major cities, for example Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, would be among Deutsche Post's target customers.

But rather than setting up its own local delivery infrastructures, Deutsche Post would farm out the work to DHL International.

Deutsche Post would not need to invest heavily to set up the service because it already owns a fleet of aircraft.

And since it would not be delivering letters, it would not need approval for its plans by the Japanese government, the newspaper said.