Japan’s top two parcel delivery companies are working to hire more women for delivery work, with Sagawa Express parent SG Holdings planning to take on more than 10,000 female workers over the three years from fiscal 2012, according to Nikkei Weekly.

    The company aims to have women make up more than 30 percent of its work force, up from about 20 percent at present. Larger rival Yamato Holdings says it already has reached that 30 percent mark.

    Delivery firms have said that female students and homemakers often prove to be excellent delivery workers, as they often have excellent knowledge of local geography. Also, many women living alone, among other parcel recipients, tend to prefer deliverywomen over men.

    SG Holdings says it will assign newly hired deliverywomen to small outlets inside cities.

    Yamato Holdings and SG Holdings control a combined 80 percent of Japan's parcel delivery market in terms of items handled.

(source:http://www.cargonewsasia.com/category.aspx?id=7)