Contributions

As part of the Fukuyama City 50th Anniversary Commemorative Project in 1966, we received tremendous support from Mr. Noboru Shibuya (1904-1994), founder of Fukuyama Transporting Co., Ltd. in the reconstruction of Fukuyama Castle’s castle keep, O-yudono(Bathhouse), and Tsukimi-yagura(Moon-viewing turret).

Sympathizing with initiatives to pass on the value and beauty of Fukuyama Castle to subsequent generations, Mr. Shibuya contributed again in 2022 for the 400th anniversary of the construction of Fukuyama Castle, donating to support the renovation of Fukuyama Castle Museum exhibits to promote education and culture.

Another honorary citizen of Fukuyama City alongside Mr. Noboru Shibuya is Mr. Noriyuki Komaru (1928-2019), who was with the Fukuyama Transporting from its earliest days through its expansion period.

Fukuyama Transporting – Social, Safety, Environmental, and Future Initiatives

Environmental and Safety Initiatives

Fukuyama Rail Express: Largest in Japan

The Fukuyama Rail Express is a dedicated block train that runs throughout Japan. This train line has a daily capacity equivalent to roughly 300 large trucks, making it the largest-scale operation in the industry.

Japan’s First Double-Trailer Trucks

In 2017, the company launched Japan’s first 25-meter-long double-trailer trucks. One double-trailer truck has the capacity of roughly two standard large trucks, thereby helping achieve more efficient trunk line transportation with less manpower. These trucks currently run in areas stretching from the northeastern Tohoku region to the southwestern island of Kyushu.

25-meter Double-Trailer Trucks: Specs Comparison

Full vehicle length
Front trailer – Maximum load
Back trailer – Maximum load
Total maximum load
25-meter Double-Trailer Trucks
Semi-trailer
Large truck (van)

Safety Accreditations and Certifications

374 Fukuyama Transporting offices throughout Japan have acquired the international road traffic safety standard Road traffic safety management systems (ISO 39001) and the Excellent Safety Office (G Mark) certification issued by the Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to offices recognized for implementing traffic safety initiatives.

Japan-wide Safe Operation Inspections

In the autumn each year, inspections and maintenance are conducted for all vehicles in operation throughout Japan. Each time, over 3,000 vehicles are inspected, and the inspections are also useful for reinforcing drivers’ safety awareness.

Collaboration with Local Communities

Comprehensive Partnership Agreement Signed with Hiroshima Prefecture

We signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Hiroshima Prefecture to simulate local communities. They work to rapidly and properly tackle community issues and improve customer service for Hiroshima residents. (2017)

Industry-Academia Collaborative Research with Hiroshima University

We signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Hiroshima University to conduct industry-academia collaborative research on traffic safety problems and give back to society by broadly sharing the results of that research. (2016)

Signed Special Fraud Prevention Agreement with the Hiroshima Prefectural Police

We signed a Special Fraud Prevention Agreement with the Hiroshima Prefectural Police HQ, which involves social contribution activities such as attaching warning stickers to delivery invoices. (2016)

Private-Sector Meetings with the Republic of Lithuania

When Fukuyama Transporting president Shigehiro Komaru was appointed honorary consul (now honorary consul-general) to the Republic of Lithuania in Fukuyama, the Fukuyama Transporting established an Honorary Lithuanian Consulate in Fukuyama at company headquarters. (2017)

Community Service Activities

Traffic Safety Classes at Primary Schools

We conduct traffic safety classes at primary schools and in communities throughout Japan with the aim of keeping children safe. These classes raise traffic safety awareness by reviewing dangers hidden close to home, including routes to school, and conducting hands-on blind-spot simulations using trucks.

On-the-Ground Traffic Safety Advocacy

In order to build safe and secure communities, we work together with local police departments and trucking associations to engage in on-the-ground traffic safety advocacy, targeting drivers dropped at intersections and pedestrians commuting to work or school.

Amenity Cleaning Project

To show our gratitude for the roads we use every day, all Fukuyama Transporting employees perform road clean-up activities. Launched in 1990, a total of 8,000 employees participate in these clean-up activities every year.

Educational Support for Children

The Fukuyama Transporting also provides full support and cooperation to the social contribution activities of foundations started by the likes of Fukuyama Transporting founder Noboru Shibuya and Noriyuki Komaru (Shibuya Ikueikai Foundation, Komaru Transportation Foundation, Komaru Environment Foundation). These include inviting the NHK Symphony Orchestra to perform and a Japanese Essay and Speech Contest for students learning the Japanese language in China, Asia, Lithuania, and elsewhere.

Three Foundations Linked to Fukuyama Transporting

Shibuya Ikueikai Foundation

In 1985, Fukuyama Transporting founder and Honorary Chairman
Noboru Shibuya (1904-1994) donated his own funds to establish the Shibuya Ikueikai Foundation in support of educating the leaders of the future: the children of today. Since then, the foundation has provided support for academic loan programs for senior high school and university students, educational institutions, local cultural promotion organizations , and youth development and health promotion organizations.

Komaru Transportation Foundation

The Komaru Transportation Foundation was founded in 2013 primarily through the efforts of Chairman Noriyuki Komaru (1928-2019) with the aim of creating safe, secure communities free of traffic accidents. Since then, the foundation has worked to create local communities where vulnerable road users can live in comfort through activities such as holding traffic safety classes at primary schools across Japan and providing support for campaigns to prevent traffic accidents at intersections.

Komaru Environment Foundation

The Komaru Environment Foundation was founded in 2020 to engage in various projects focused on environmental conservation and education, thereby contributing to the achievement of a sustainable society. The foundation is engaged in tree-planting activities in Japan and around the world as well as efforts to promote environmental education in collaboration with universities and professional bodies.

Company History
Fukuyama Transporting’s Past and Future

1948 –
Founder Noboru Shibuya’s Foresight and Pioneer Spirit

Fukuyama Transporting was founded in 1948, just after the end of the war. Fukuyama Cargo Transport (today Fukuyama Transporting) was formed when the Fukuyama branch of the Hiroshima Prefecture Truck Company split away and became independent. The company at the time had 1.1 million yen in capital, 272 employees, and 96 vehicles. Founder and first company president Noboru Shibuya (1904-1994) moved beyond local reserved shipping to focus on consolidated shipping. In 1960, the company launched the longest truck shipping route in Japan at the time, running from Tokyo to Osaka to Hiroshima to Shimonoseki.

1948
Fukuyama Cargo Transport formed when the Fukuyama branch of the Hiroshima Prefecture Truck Company split away and became independent. Began local shipping business.
1950
Onomichi-Osaka route launched.
Transportation business permit acquired and company renamed Fukuyama Transporting Co., Ltd.
1957
Permit obtained for the Hiroshima-Shimonoseki route via transfer from the New Japan Dispatch Corporation. Route operation begun.
1960
Launched a truck route covering Tokyo to Osaka to Hiroshima to Shimonoseki.
Capital partnership launched with Kintetsu Railway Co., Ltd.
1968
Nagoya branch and Osaka branch opened, the company’s first large-scale hubs.
1969
The Tokyo branch opened as the flagship for the Tokyo Metropolitan Area.

1970 –
Rapid progress and expansion with well-developed transportation network

Throughout Japan’s period of high economic growth in the 1960s, Fukuyama Transporting continued to grow as the industry’s foremost logistics company. In 1973, the company introduced the first high-speed automatic sorting equipment used in the Japanese logistics industry, and worked to streamline and reduce manpower in operations by actively utilizing rail container shipping and other methods. The company created menus of logistics products and began offering “system deliveries.” Continued expansion of company networks enabled the company to actively pursue M&A (company mergers/buyouts) and grow tremendously as Japan’s leading logistics company.

1970
Freight liner (rail containers) usage begun on the Okayama-Tokyo route.
Company goes public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Exchange, 2nd Section.
1971
Airport Bowling (Kuko Bowl) (Fukuoka City) opened, the largest bowling alley in Japan.
1972
Reassignment to the 1st Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Exchange.
1973
Japan’s first high-speed automatic sorting equipment installed at the Kitakyushu branch.
1981
“System deliveries” begun through creation of menus of logistics products
1982
Industry first AVM (automatic vehicle monitoring) system launched at the Hiroshima branch.
1984
Online cargo tracking system launched that covers all branches.
1986
Began handling international airfreight in collaboration with U.S. company Airborne Express.
1989
Began handling domestic airfreight.
1994
Japan-wide transport network completed with the opening of the Toyama branch.
1997
Established an integrated transport system for international cargo in collaboration with Burlington Air Express.
1999
Became an IATA (International Air Transport Association) accredited agent.

2000 –
New Challenges and Value Generation

In the 2000s, Fukuyama Transporting set out to tackle new challenges. By making organic connections between large, high-functionality logistics centers and transport networks inside and outside Japan, the company is working to build logistics systems and generate additional new value. The company also launched the Fukuyama Rail Express, a block train operated in collaboration with the Japan Freight Railway Company (JR Freight), and since 2017 has operated Japan’s first 25-meter full double-trailer trucks. Fukuyama Transporting will continue to take on new challenges in pursuit of generating new value in the future.

2000
Acquired ISO 9002 certification for domestic freight transport quality management systems.
Acquired ISO 14001 certification for environmental management systems.
2002
Opened the Etchujima-dori branch of the Ministop convenience store chain.
2003
Began selling Parcel Pack 400 product, the industry’s first way to send parcels anywhere in Japan for a flat rate of 400 yen.
2008
Began industry-academia collaboration with Hiroshima University on traffic safety problems.
2009
Oji Transportation and six other Group companies made subsidiaries of Fukuyama Transporting.
2013
Business partnership with Seino Holdings for bilateral cooperation in large-scale disaster situations.
Dedicated block train Fukuyama Rail Express began operating on a Tokyo-Osaka route.
2016
Major Malaysian logistics company EH Utara Holdings made a subsidiary of Fukuyama Transporting.
2017
Flagship Tokyo branch renovated and re-opened.
Japan’s first 25-meter full double-trailer trucks put into operation.
2021年
Dedicated block train Fukuyama Rail Express began operating on an Osaka-Sendai-Morioka route.
Kintetsu Railway / Meihan limited express train Urban Liner launched, a service that combines freight and passenger transport.