Tuesday, October 27th, 2026
The Physical Internet Academy of Japan (PIAJ) held its inaugural meeting on 8 October 2026 at Waseda University in Tokyo, marking a further step in the international development of the Physical Internet. The initiative aims to strengthen research, knowledge exchange and cooperation between academia, industry and public authorities to support more efficient, interconnected and sustainable logistics systems.
Established in June 2026, the Academy is co-led by Professor Shunichi Ohmori from Waseda University and Professor Takayuki Mori, Professor Emeritus at the University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences.
PIAJ aims to advance the scientific foundations of the Physical Internet while supporting its practical implementation. Its planned activities include research meetings, thematic working groups, scientific publications, policy recommendations and international collaborative research.
Japan has been advancing its Physical Internet agenda through national initiatives and a dedicated roadmap addressing logistics efficiency, collaboration and sustainability. The establishment of PIAJ complements these efforts by creating a platform for academic research and international knowledge exchange.
According to Japanese logistics industry reporting, a representative of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) referred to European Physical Internet research, including ALICE’s work, in the context of Japan’s national roadmap. This connection illustrates the importance of international knowledge exchange in advancing a common vision while addressing different regional logistics challenges.
Both Europe and Japan face the need to improve logistics efficiency, optimise infrastructure and capacity utilisation, accelerate digitalisation and reduce freight transport emissions.
The growing international Physical Internet community creates opportunities to exchange experience on common standards, governance, interoperability and scalable logistics solutions.
These priorities are closely aligned with ALICE’s activities and its participation in European research and innovation projects, including the Horizon Europe-funded IKIGAI project.
IKIGAI aims to accelerate Physical Internet implementation by scaling collaborative logistics innovations and supporting the development of interoperable processes and services. Its activities include practical demonstrations, the development of the PI Norm and engagement with international Physical Internet experts and ambassadors.
Initiatives such as PIAJ can contribute to the broader international research environment by facilitating cooperation between academic institutions and industry stakeholders, supporting the transition from research concepts to operational applications.
The launch of PIAJ reflects the growing international interest in the Physical Internet, particularly across Asia, and reinforces the importance of cooperation beyond national and regional boundaries.
For ALICE and its members, such developments are relevant to the long-term objective of establishing interoperable logistics networks capable of supporting more efficient, resilient and zero-emission freight transport.
ALICE welcomes initiatives that strengthen international research collaboration and knowledge exchange, contributing to the progressive development of an open, interconnected and sustainable logistics system.
Further information about the European Physical Internet developments and related innovations is available through the IKIGAI project.
The official Physical Internet Academy of Japan (PIAJ) website is scheduled to launch on 28 October 2026, providing a dedicated platform for information about the Academy and its activities.
Website: https://piaj.jp/