DHL Express has opened its 20,000m² Tokyo Gateway Facility in Shin-Kiba.

According to DHL, the new ¥9 billion (US$83.6 million) facility is more than double the size of the previous Tokyo distribution centre, which had reached its designed capacity.

The new facility offers bonded warehousing services, as well as pick-up and delivery options for the Tokyo area.

“The new DHL Express Tokyo Gateway marks the largest investment to date by the company in Japan and enhances our extensive operational network in the country,” said Ken Allen, CEO of DHL Express. “It underscores our commitment to providing high-quality service to support our customers’ growth ambitions. The opening of our new Tokyo facility comes as Japan moves to finalize its acceptance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is expected to boost Japan’s GDP by up to ¥15 trillion by 2030. Both the TPP and a general liberalization in trade policy will support the continued growth of the region in the coming years.”

DHL Express has two other gateway facilities in Japan, the Kansai and Chubu gateways.

“We believe the Japan market has room to grow further, especially in the e-commerce and automotive sectors, and we see increasing demand for international shipping needs from China and Southeast Asia into Japan,” said Ken Lee, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific. “To address these customer requirements, we have invested in the development of the express industry across the region, and have the best people in place to provide excellent customer service.”

The Tokyo gateway uses automated sorters and conveyors to process up to 12,000 parcels an hour, and features automated X-ray systems and more than 200 CCTV cameras, according to DHL.