Toyoshima & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Nagoya City Naka-ku, President & CEO: Shinichi TOYOSHIMA) is pleased to announce that we support and participate in the philosophy of the Apparel Logistics Research Group, jointly operated by four companies: &ST HD Co., Ltd., Baroque Japan Limited Co., Ltd., TSI Holdings Co., Ltd., and United Arrows Co., Ltd.
Additionally, we conducted a joint transportation experiment aimed at addressing driver shortages, and confirmed certain effects in reducing truck scheduling difficulties and operational loads, so we are sharing the results.
Going forward, we will continue to build a strong and extensive logistics infrastructure through co-creation that transcends boundaries with peers such as apparel and textiles, aiming to improve logistics efficiency and realize a sustainable society.
The "Apparel Logistics Study Group" clarifies common logistics challenges across the industry through sharing and discussions among participating companies, aiming to improve logistics efficiency and realize sustainable logistics models in the fashion sector. Currently, the group operates with a total of six companies, including BEAMS Co., Ltd.
Our research group has prioritized addressing driver shortages and has worked to maintain logistics processes. In particular, procurement logistics (such as dreg) connecting ports and logistics centers is the most prominent and prominent impacts such as difficulty securing vehicles and rising freight rates, posing challenges that could disrupt supply networks. Therefore, we conducted a joint transportation experiment in this field and confirmed the difficulty of truck arrangement and the effect of reducing operational loads. We are pleased to share the results in this release.
■Background of this initiative:
Addressing the Domestic Driver Shortage of Concerns in the Future
Currently, the number of vehicles operating domestically has decreased by about 35% compared to 2011*¹, and the average age of drivers responsible for maritime container transport is 52.6 years, showing a notable aging population*². Due to low profitability*³, new entrants are unlikely to enter, and freight rates have continued to rise from 2023 to 2025*⁴, with labor shortages and rising costs progressing simultaneously.
Our research group aims to maintain and build a sustainable domestic transportation network by concentrating and optimizing resources beyond competitors and business partners to address concerns about future "people disappearing or unable to transport" in the future.
*Source
1 (General Incorporated Association) Tokyo Trucking Association: Refer to the 2025 announcement of the "Marine Container Specialist Subcommittee Survey Results" / 2 (General Incorporated Association) Tokyo Trucking Association: Refer to the 2024 announcement of the "Kanto Trucking Association Marine Container Subcommittee Survey" / 3 (Public Corporation) All Japan Trucking Association: Refer to the 2025 announcement of the "Management Analysis Report FY2024 Financial Results" / 4 Apparel Logistics Research Group Original Survey: Based on interviews with 19 fashion-related companies
■ The "Two Full-Scale Operation Schemes" in Kyodo Transport
In the procurement area of overseas goods, we have established the following two joint transportation schemes to eliminate unnecessary operations and waiting times.
(1) Joint transport from Shimonoseki Port
This scheme consolidates imported cargo from China (East and North China) at Shimonoseki Port and combines ferry transport via Yokosuka Port to jointly transport goods to each company's logistics center.
・Vehicle reduction: Consolidate cargo from various companies at Shimonoseki Port and reduce the number of vehicles in operation
・Operating hours: Reduced operating time by driverless ferry transport
・Speed: Maintains the traditional lead time
(2) Joint transport from Tokyo Port
This scheme allows for joint transportation of cargo arriving at Tokyo Port through port facilities (CFS) and joint transport to each logistics center.
・Vehicle reduction: Consolidate cargo from various companies at Tokyo Port and reduce the number of operating vehicles
・Speed: Maintains the traditional lead time
■ Results of the demonstration experiment:
Specific effects on curbing driver shortages (March 2026~ongoing)
In this demonstration experiment, by building and operating a joint transportation scheme among multiple companies, we achieved consolidation and optimization of the transportation network (such as modal shifts) while maintaining the traditional lead time (number of transportation days). As a result, we have demonstrated the effectiveness of a sustainable logistics model that reduces driver travel time and CO2 emissions, balancing efficiency with environmental considerations.
Reduced driver travel time:
(1) Joint transport from Shimonoseki Port
By consolidating cargo at Shimonoseki Port, the number of vehicle trips was halved from four to two. Furthermore, by combining modal shift by ferry, we reduced driver travel time by about 77% compared to conventional land transport.
(2) Joint transport from Tokyo Port
Compared to the previous individual transportation schemes by each company, this represents a reduction of approximately 50%.
Reduction of CO2 emissions (environmental impact):
(1) Joint transport from Shimonoseki Port
CO2 emissions have been reduced by approximately 37% compared to current levels.
(2) Joint transport from Tokyo Port
The effect of reducing CO2 emissions remained at the same level as the current level as the results of demonstration experiments. By promoting improvements in vehicle load rates, we will continue to reduce environmental impact going forward.
* Coefficients for labor reduction and CO2 emissions are calculated using materials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism website.
■ Future Outlook
Based on the insights gained from this demonstration experiment, the Apparel Logistics Study Group will further expand the joint transportation scheme.
The joint transport scheme increases the number of partner companies, making the network "lines" thicker and more efficient, and further increasing the number of "lines" expands the transport routes, thereby amplifying their effectiveness. Therefore, based on the success of this demonstration, our study group will continue to recruit new companies aiming to realize sustainable logistics together.
Rather than being a mere temporary demonstration, we will establish a joint transportation scheme as a "sustainable social infrastructure" that transcends industry boundaries to address social issues such as driver shortages, including the 2024 problem.
■ Overview of the Apparel Logistics Study Group
Established: October 2023
Participating Companies (as of July 2026)
■ &ST HD Co., Ltd.
The &ST HD Group is a multi-company group composed of brands such as Adastria Co., Ltd., Element Rule Co., Ltd., BUZZWIT Co., Ltd., and Zetton Co., Ltd., which operate brands such as apparel, miscellaneous goods, and food & beverage; andST Co., Ltd., which operates mall & media and B2B businesses; andST Logistics Co., Ltd., which handles group logistics; and the special subsidiary WeOur, Inc., among others.
We aim to become a "Play fashion! platformer" that strengthens connections with various stakeholders and spreads the excitement of fashion both domestically and internationally.
<Location> Shibuya Hikarie, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8510
<URL> https://www.andst-hd.co.jp/
<Instagram> https://www.instagram.com/andsthd_official
■ Baroque Japan Limited Co., Ltd.
Baroque Japan Limited operates over 350 fashion brands in Japan and internationally, including "MOUSSY," "SLY," "AZUL BY MOUSSY," and "ENFÖLD." We are thoroughly committed to our founding spirit of "what we want to wear," and manufacture and sell (SPA) apparel and fashion accessories that combine trends, fashionability, functionality, and quality.
<URL> https://www.baroque-global.com/
■ BEAMS Corporation
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year (2026), BEAMS was founded in 1976 in Harajuku, Tokyo. Following its first store, "American Life Shop BEAMS," it has pioneered select shops that showcase various lifestyles worldwide, introducing domestic and international brands and works from a diverse perspective, including fashion, accessories, interiors, music, art, and food. They have a rich track record as a catalyst for creating new value through collaboration, providing creative solutions in corporate collaboration and public-private partnerships. With about 165 stores in Japan and Asia, the culture woven by communities centered on products, events, and people is supported by a wide range of generations across regions.
<URL> https://www.beams.co.jp
■ TSI Holdings Co., Ltd.
TSI Holdings Co., Ltd. is an apparel and lifestyle company offering over 50 diverse brands, including "Natural Beauty Basic," "Margaret Howell," and "Avirex." While connecting value to society (value provided) to corporate growth, we create original value that goes beyond product offerings through entertainment (fun) brought by fashion.
<URL> https://www.tsi-holdings.com/
■ United Arrows Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1989. We operate a select shop that mixes and sells designer brands sourced from Japan and abroad with original men's and women's clothing, miscellaneous goods, and more. We operate brands and labels such as "United Arrows," "Beauty & Youth United Arrows," and "United Arrows Green Label Relaxing."
<URL> https://www.united-arrows.co.jp/
