If the postal reform bills clear the House of Councilors by the Aug. 13 end of the current Diet session, the privatization process will begin in April 2007 and end 10 years later.

Japan Post would be broken into four entities, undertaking over-the-counter services, mail-delivery, postal savings and postal life insurance -- all under a holding company owned one-third by the government.

So what will happen to your neighborhood post office? Here are some questions that may arise and the foreseeable consequences of the privatization based on the government's explanation and Diet debate.