Japan Post plans to raise postage rates for sealed items and postcards by 30% as early as October to help make up for losses resulting from the declining number of deliveries due to the growing use of digital communication.
The increase in postage for sealed letters and other documents will be the first in 30 years, excluding adjustments for consumption tax hikes. For postcards, it will mark the first rate hike since 2017.
The price of standard-size sealed items weighing 25 grams or less will rise from ¥84 ($0.5) to ¥110, while the cost of postcards will go up from ¥63 to ¥85.