Parcel delivery is a private-sector service that delivers small items to your door. First established in Japan, this business now handles 3.4 billion items a year. The roots of the service can be traced back to a 1935 delivery service started by freight companies and what was then known as the Ministry of Railways. Today, the 5 largest delivery companies have logistics centers in about 9,600 places across Japan. Book a parcel delivery by phone: they'll come to your door to pick the package up, then deliver it almost anywhere in Japan the next day. One parcel delivery company has introduced a new service for senior citizens, combining shopping delivery and a check on the well-being of the buyer. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is parcel delivery. With its very precise delivery schedule and a detailed service menu, parcel delivery embodies some of the best aspects of business done the Japanese way.