Fukuoka Sonoriku (headquartered in Saga Prefecture), which handles the distribution and logistics of fresh produce, announced on February 12 that it has opened the "Fukushima Logistics Center," a logistics base for fresh produce, in Tomioka Town, Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture.
By establishing a relay hub connecting production, processing, and transportation in Fukushima Prefecture, a key point in wide-area logistics, the project aims to create a hub for the wide-area distribution of fresh produce, connecting Tohoku to Hokkaido, Kanto, and Western Japan.
Furthermore, by incorporating relay transport into daily operations, we aim to distribute routes that are heavily reliant on long-distance routes, thereby reducing the burden on drivers and creating a sustainable transportation system.
<Exterior view of Fukushima Logistics Center>
In the logistics industry, the 2024 problem is necessitating a shift from a model based on long-distance routes to a structure where roles are divided by region. In particular, in the distribution of fresh produce, it is essential to maintain freshness during transport, making operations that balance transportation and storage indispensable.
The company has previously operated a network based in western Japan, including branches in Hokkaido and the Kanto region. By establishing a new hub in Fukushima, it will create a system that connects Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Kanto regions. By implementing relay and storage functions in locations close to the production areas, it aims to achieve both a streamlined operational design and stable supply across a wide area.
<Antechamber area responsible for consolidating, sorting, and transferring produce>
<Interior of the patented refrigerator>
The center also features a patented refrigerator developed and patented by the company. This system uses forced ventilation to remove ethylene gas, which accelerates the deterioration of fresh produce, thus maintaining freshness and enabling long-term storage.
Furthermore, by incorporating CA (Controlled Atmosphere) refrigeration, the store controls the air composition inside the warehouse to suppress the respiration of fresh produce, thereby ensuring a supply that is less susceptible to fluctuations in supply and demand and weather conditions, and reducing food waste.
President Toshitoshi Sonoda commented, "We see this base as part of the public infrastructure that will strengthen logistics in Tohoku, starting from Fukushima. By implementing relay transport, we will reduce the burden on drivers and protect the value of fresh produce with our patented refrigeration technology. We will continue to deliver local products to the whole country in the best possible condition."
■ Facility outline
Name: Fukuoka Sonoriku Fukushima Logistics Center
Location: 144-50 Sekinago, Kamigoriyama, Tomioka-machi, Futaba-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
Site area: 165,448 m2
Total floor area: 82,530 m2
Temperature range: Room temperature / Refrigerated / Chilled
Number of births: 9
Completed: April 2026
