EXIM – Tokyo, Japan

August 20, 2024

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Interview with

Mr. Kaz Fukuda
Managing Director

Please tell our readers about your background and history in logistics. Why did you choose this career?

I wanted a job in which I could use English, so I selected the freight forwarder industry about 27 years ago. I mainly handled containers (including special containers) in the pivot of Japan / USA traffic.

Since 2005, I have handled various types of heavier and wider cargo. This includes break bulk, RORO vessels, and especially Locomotive and Multiple Tie Tampers (called MTT).

EXIM Japan Project Photo 01 — Cargo dimensions: L21.15m x W2.84 x H3.7, Weight: 51 tons
Scope of work: pick up at the site, delivery to the port , feeder to Yokohama port, loading on mafi-trailer

What is the history of EXIM in Japan, and what field in logistics are you specialised in?

As I had experience in shipping locomotives, MTTs, one of my customers is a seller of MTTs. I secured the business of the seller, and then I established my own company.

I specialize in transporting locomotives & MTTs, and handle domestic transportation in Japan and overseas shipping.

Japan, as we understand it, is a conservative market. Customers tend to stay long-term with their providers. Is that still the case or is it price sensitive? What are your strengths in EXIM to secure business?

Nowadays, Japanese customers are price sensitive. However, they would like to communicate with Japanese who are overseas. Therefore, they prefer Japanese companies overseas to deal with Japanese freight forwarders.

My strength in EXIM is experience of transportation and my knowledge of the shipping industry.

How do you view the market in 2024 as a freight forwarder? Do you see that you have problems finding space with the shipping lines currently?

In 2024, the freight forwarder business might have a good chance, because the space will be tight and ocean freight will increase. So shippers/consignees will be looking for new freight forwarders. Therefore, we have the chance to get new customers.

However I have faced space problems, because ex Japan, the mother vessels are calling Japanese ports less frequently; the feeder vessels call and tranship via China, Korea and Taiwan. The space volume is not enough in the Japanese market.