Seino Holdings, Alpico Holdings, Delicia, Coconet, Aeronext, and NEXT DELIVERY jointly conducted a demonstration experiment using logistics drones in Karuizawa City, Nagano Prefecture on December 16.
<Group photo of representatives. From left: Keisuke Toji, President of Aeronext; Yuichi Sato, President of Alpico HD; and Hideharu Kawai, Senior Managing Executive Officer of Seino HD>
The experiment was conducted with the aim of contributing to solving local issues such as traffic congestion in Karuizawa City, Nagano Prefecture, addressing difficulties in shopping due to the declining birthrate and aging population, and strengthening disaster prevention capabilities.
Alpico Holdings, Seino Last One Mile (a subsidiary of Seino Holdings), Aeronext, and NEXT DELIVERY concluded a business alliance in February 2025 to expand the new smart logistics system throughout Nagano Prefecture and to address regional issues and revitalize the local economy. This project is part of those concrete activities.
<Scene of a special box containing cargo being placed on the "PF4" logistics drone>
In the experiment, a specialized logistics drone was used to conduct deliveries simulating a disaster, using a local supermarket as a base. Food supplies were delivered to elderly care facilities and campgrounds.
With the aim of implementing new smart logistics in local communities, we undertook initiatives that contribute to building drone delivery routes in preparation for both normal and emergency situations, establishing drone delivery operational systems, and improving residents' acceptance of drone delivery.
<Yoshifumi Ikeda, a staff member at Rising Field Karuizawa, received the package.>
Yoshifumi Ikeda, a staff member at Rising Field Karuizawa who received the package by drone, commented, "Drone logistics can be used not only during the summer when traffic congestion is severe, but also as a base for distributing relief supplies during disasters such as heavy snowfall."
Through the experiment, the town of Karuizawa confirmed the effectiveness of the new smart logistics system in addressing local challenges such as traffic congestion, the declining birthrate and aging population, logistics issues, strengthening disaster prevention capabilities, and improving regional cooperation and social acceptance.
Going forward, the company plans to develop a system where products ordered through online supermarkets are delivered by air according to customer requests. By utilizing air routes and delivering goods by drone, they aim to reduce labor costs, create a system that can deliver goods to people who cannot go shopping for various reasons, and implement a phase-free logistics system in Karuizawa Town.
