It has been discovered that bookstores in Akita Prefecture have been affected by the ``2024 problem'' in logistics, with the arrival of paperback books, literary books, etc. starting in April delayed by one day from the release date.
According to the Akita Prefecture Bookstore Commercial Association, which is made up of bookstores in Akita Prefecture, shipping companies in Saitama Prefecture are responsible for delivering not only to the 20-plus bookstores that are members of the association, but also to major chain bookstores. The transportation distance is estimated to be over 600 kilometers one way.
In the logistics industry, regulations such as caps on overtime work for truck drivers will be applied from April, and there are concerns that transport volumes will decrease.
Due to this ``Year 2024 Problem'' in logistics, bookstores in Akita Prefecture have been found to be affected by the arrival of paperbacks, literary books, etc. from April 1st, one day after the release date.
According to the transportation company, they decided to review their response due to the upper limit on overtime work for drivers and the difficulty of securing a certain amount of rest time after work.
According to the Prefectural Bookstore Commercial Association, bookstores in Akita Prefecture are already receiving comics, weekly magazines, and other magazines one day after their release date, and in response to the ``2024 problem,'' paperbacks and Most books, including literary books, will be available in stores one day later.
The Akita Prefecture Bookstore Commercial Association said, ``The delay in the release date will cause inconvenience to our customers, but we would like to ask for their understanding as this is to reform the way truck drivers work.''
Books by popular authors are delayed by a day at bookstores in front of the station.
At the large bookstore in front of JR Akita Station in Akita City, paperbacks and literary books used to arrive on the same day they were released, but starting in April, they have been arriving one day later.
For this reason, popular author Keigo Higashino's latest paperback book was scheduled to be released on the 3rd, but it arrived at stores one day later on the morning of the 4th, and was released on the 4th.
According to the store, at least three customers visited the store on the day of the release on the 3rd, not knowing that the arrival of the paperback books would be delayed.
A male teenager who purchased the paperback said, ``It's not a problem if there is a one-day delay because we are reviewing the way truck drivers work.''
Another woman in her 30s said, ``I think it's difficult for people who work in the logistics industry, but I think information will be slower in Akita than in the Tokyo metropolitan area.I want them to think of various ways to eliminate the difference.'' .
Keiichi Konno, deputy manager of Junkudo Bookstore Akita Store, said, ``It's very painful not being able to sell to customers who want to purchase on the day of release.There is also a concern that people will move away from paper books and turn to e-books.'' But I think we have no choice."