Evaluate carrier access (road, rail, coastal feeder), facility types (ambient, cold, bonded), automation and WMS capabilities, labor availability and cost, and value‑added services such as kitting, returns processing, and cross‑dock. Prioritize partners with transparent SLAs and performance data for lead times and inventory accuracy.

Transit times to Kansai (Osaka/Kobe) are typically competitive due to efficient national routes and regional rail, with road transit often under a few hours to western Honshu markets. Coastal feeder services can reduce ocean‑to‑warehouse times for inbound cargo. Expect slightly longer international air options versus major airports but savings in terminal and property costs.

Common offerings include ambient and refrigerated storage, bonded warehouses, pick‑and‑pack, kitting and light assembly, returns and refurbishment, cross‑docking, and integrated WMS/TMS solutions. Many providers support EDI/APIs for omnichannel order routing and carrier agnostic parcel consolidation.

Build a TCO model that includes facility lease or 3PL fee, labor, utilities, inventory carrying, packaging, inbound/outbound transport, and order handling rates. Factor in service levels, transit times, and potential government incentives. Run scenario analyses comparing current hub costs to projected spend in the prefecture to quantify net savings and service impact.