"Is Japan Really Going to Start 'Temporary Unlocking of Auto-Locks by Delivery Personnel'? — Analyzing the Balance Between Convenience and Security by Comparing Overseas Cases"

In Japan, against the backdrop of expanding e-commerce and a shortage of delivery drivers (known as the "2024 Problem"), the government (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) is considering a system that allows delivery personnel to temporarily unlock apartment building auto-locks for package delivery. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism emphasized that "security is a top priority," and issues such as obtaining consent from management associations, standardizing data integration, and subsidizing implementation costs are being discussed. The redelivery rate is projected to be 8.4% as of April 2025, falling short of the target of 6%, and this system is seen as a key measure for improving efficiency. However, there is a persistent public sentiment of "convenient but somewhat concerning," making the design of unlocking logs, personal authentication, and monitoring systems crucial. Internationally, diverse solutions have been developed, such as Amazon Key in the U.S. (building and indoor unlocking), DHL's indoor lockers in Europe, and Singapore's public locker network. **Japan's distinguishing feature is its "meticulous management of shared area keys, secured through consent and logging in a cautious design,"** with private sector initiatives (such as Yamato's digital keys and bitkey integration) also expanding. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to the latest trends and technological methods in Japan, security design, management practices, cost comparisons, and differences with overseas approaches.