A: Hey there! 👋 Ever heard about the news with Japan Post?
B: Not yet, what's up?

A: Well, they had a loss in their postal services for the third year in a row. 💔
B: Oh no! How much are we talking about?

A: It was around 63 billion yen, or about 424 million dollars. 💰
B: Whoa, that's quite a bit! But it got a little better from last year, right?

A: Yeah, the loss shrank by 26 billion yen, or 175 million dollars. They raised postage charges last October and it helped.
B: That makes sense, I guess people pay more when they have to. But still... less than half of the peak in 2001? 😕

A: You got it! And labor and distribution costs didn't help either.
B: Bummer... but at least there might be a surplus next year, right?

A: They projected an operating surplus of 6.7 billion yen, or about 45 million dollars for postal services in the next fiscal year. But...
B: Uh-oh, here comes the catch!

A: Yeah, they say it might be revised lower because the volume of mail handled has dropped more than expected since rates increased. 😞
B: Wow, looks like Japan Post is having a tough time. Let's hope things get better for them! 🙏🏼
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Japan Post logged an operating loss in its postal services for the third straight fiscal year as fewer people send letters.



The company says the loss for fiscal 2024 through March stood at 63 billion yen, or roughly 424 million dollars.



The shortfall shrank by 26 billion yen, or 175 million dollars, from the previous year partly due to a hike in postage charges in October last year.



The number of postal items the company handled were less than a half the peak marked in fiscal 2001.



Higher distribution and labor costs contributed to the loss.



The company has projected an operating surplus of 6.7 billion yen, or 45 million dollars, for postal services in fiscal 2025. This is on the basis of seeing the full benefit of higher mailing rates.



However, Japan Post officials say this may be revised lower because the volume of mail handled has fallen more than expected since the rates increased.
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Quiz 1:
In fiscal 2024 through March, what was the operating loss for Japan Post's postal services?
A. Less than 63 billion yen
B. Exactly 63 billion yen
C. More than 63 billion yen
D. The same as in the previous year

Quiz 2:
What was the shrinkage in the operating loss for Japan Post's postal services compared to the previous year?
A. It increased by 26 billion yen
B. It decreased by 26 billion yen
C. The loss remained the same as the previous year
D. No change was reported in the operating loss

Quiz 3:
What has contributed to the operating loss for Japan Post's postal services?
A. Lower distribution and labor costs
B. Increased distribution and labor costs
C. Higher number of postal items handled
D. No significant cost factors contributed to the loss