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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

The Vatican's post office on November 16, 2015. Funnily enough, in Italy many Romans travel to the Vatican City Post Office to post their critical letters as a result of their distrust for the Italian postal systems. The Vatican's post office sends millions of letters every year and its services are more reliable. In fact the Vatican City's postal system was to be 'one the best postal systems in the world', by the Universal Postal Union. The Vatican's post office also sells some special types of stamps and envelopes to the tourists. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Behind The Scenes Of The Vatican

The Vatican's post office on November 16, 2015. Funnily enough, in Italy many Romans travel to the Vatican City Post Office to post their critical letters as a result of their distrust for the Italian postal systems. The Vatican's post office sends millions of letters every year and its services are more reliable. In fact the Vatican City's postal system was to be 'one the best postal systems in the world', by the Universal Postal Union. The Vatican's post office also sells some special types of stamps and envelopes to the tourists. Photo by Eric Vandeville/ABACAPRESS.COM

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XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240601) -- BEIJING, June 1, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A woman shows stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 31, 2024. Pos Malaysia, the national courier service provider and sole licensee for universal postal services in the country, unveiled a set of special joint commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240601) -- BEIJING, June 1, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A woman shows stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 31, 2024. Pos Malaysia, the national courier service provider and sole licensee for universal postal services in the country, unveiled a set of special joint commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

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MALAYSIA-KUALA LUMPUR-CHINA-50TH ANNIVERSARY-STAMPS

(240531) -- KUALA LUMPUR, May 31, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A person shows stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 31, 2024. Pos Malaysia, the national courier service provider and sole licensee for universal postal services in the country, unveiled a set of special joint commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. The commemorative stamp features iconic plants from both countries, namely the Merbau, Malaysia's national tree, and the Greeting Pine, one of China's most famous trees, symbolizing the strong relationship and warm hospitality between the two countries, it said in a statement. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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MALAYSIA-KUALA LUMPUR-CHINA-50TH ANNIVERSARY-STAMPS

(240531) -- KUALA LUMPUR, May 31, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A customer purchases stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 31, 2024. Pos Malaysia, the national courier service provider and sole licensee for universal postal services in the country, unveiled a set of special joint commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. The commemorative stamp features iconic plants from both countries, namely the Merbau, Malaysia's national tree, and the Greeting Pine, one of China's most famous trees, symbolizing the strong relationship and warm hospitality between the two countries, it said in a statement. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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MALAYSIA-KUALA LUMPUR-CHINA-50TH ANNIVERSARY-STAMPS

(240531) -- KUALA LUMPUR, May 31, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A person shows stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 31, 2024. Pos Malaysia, the national courier service provider and sole licensee for universal postal services in the country, unveiled a set of special joint commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. The commemorative stamp features iconic plants from both countries, namely the Merbau, Malaysia's national tree, and the Greeting Pine, one of China's most famous trees, symbolizing the strong relationship and warm hospitality between the two countries, it said in a statement. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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MALAYSIA-KUALA LUMPUR-CHINA-50TH ANNIVERSARY-STAMPS

(240531) -- KUALA LUMPUR, May 31, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A customer purchases stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 31, 2024. Pos Malaysia, the national courier service provider and sole licensee for universal postal services in the country, unveiled a set of special joint commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. The commemorative stamp features iconic plants from both countries, namely the Merbau, Malaysia's national tree, and the Greeting Pine, one of China's most famous trees, symbolizing the strong relationship and warm hospitality between the two countries, it said in a statement. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

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MALAYSIA-KUALA LUMPUR-CHINA-50TH ANNIVERSARY-STAMPS

(240531) -- KUALA LUMPUR, May 31, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A person shows stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 31, 2024. Pos Malaysia, the national courier service provider and sole licensee for universal postal services in the country, unveiled a set of special joint commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. The commemorative stamp features iconic plants from both countries, namely the Merbau, Malaysia's national tree, and the Greeting Pine, one of China's most famous trees, symbolizing the strong relationship and warm hospitality between the two countries, it said in a statement. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

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MALAYSIA-KUALA LUMPUR-CHINA-50TH ANNIVERSARY-STAMPS

(240531) -- KUALA LUMPUR, May 31, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A person shows stamps marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 31, 2024. Pos Malaysia, the national courier service provider and sole licensee for universal postal services in the country, unveiled a set of special joint commemorative stamps on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. The commemorative stamp features iconic plants from both countries, namely the Merbau, Malaysia's national tree, and the Greeting Pine, one of China's most famous trees, symbolizing the strong relationship and warm hospitality between the two countries, it said in a statement. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua)

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Zimbabwean official applauds Huawei's role in Zimbabwe's digitization

STORY: Zimbabwean official applauds Huawei's role in Zimbabwe's digitization SHOOTING TIME: May 7, 2024 DATELINE: May 9, 2024 LENGTH: 00:03:17 LOCATION: Harare CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY SHOTLIST: 1. various of staff members presenting Huawei products to partners 2. various of the summit 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): BEAULLAR CHIRUME, Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services 4. various of officials cutting the ribbon 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): LI FEI, Vice President of Huawei Sub-Saharan Africa STORYLINE: A Zimbabwean official on Tuesday praised Chinese tech giant Huawei for its significant role in advancing Zimbabwe's digitalization efforts. In an interview at the Huawei Zimbabwe Congress Summit 2024 in Harare, Beaullar Chirume, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services, highlighted Huawei's contribution to laying the foundations for Zimbabwe's ICT infrastructure through coop

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2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing

BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 - Visitors visit the booth of Postal Savings Bank of China at the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing, China, September 4, 2023.

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Egypt, Algeria sign MoU in communications, information technology, postal services

STORY: Egypt, Algeria sign MoU on communications, information technology, postal services DATELINE: June 21, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:56 LOCATION: Cairo CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of cabinet headquarters in the Administrative Capital 2. various of the signing ceremony (courtesy of Egypt's cabinet) STORYLINE: Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Tuesday witnessed a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Egypt and Algeria for cooperation in the field of communications, information technology, and postal services. The signing ceremony was held at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt. Under the MoU, the two countries will enhance cooperation in the information and communication technology sector, and empower entrepreneurs in the field of emerging digital technologies. Both sides agreed to form a joint committee to follow up on the implementation of cooperation files in various fields. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ca

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China's first set of stamps

STORY: China's first set of stamps DATELINE: March 24, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:29 LOCATION: TIANJIN, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of Tianjin Post Museum 2. various of the Large Dragon stamps STORYLINE: This Thursday marks the 145th anniversary of the initial stage of modern China Post services. In 1878, China's first set of stamps, Large Dragon stamps were issued in Tianjin, north China. The only set of full-page Large Dragon stamps was exhibited at the Tianjin Post Museum, which is located at the former site of the postal bureau during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tianjin, China. (XHTV)

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CHINA-GUANGDONG-SHENZHEN-COFFEE-THEMED POST OFFICE (CN)

(230215) -- SHENZHEN, Feb. 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A customer gets a cup of coffee at a coffee-themed post office in Nanshan District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 15, 2023. Shenzhen's first coffee-themed post office opened on Tuesday in the science and technology park in Nanshan District. Featuring a coffee bar, the post office has turned into a place where customers can enjoy drinks like coffee as well as postal services like mail and parcel deliveries. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

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CHINA-GUANGDONG-SHENZHEN-COFFEE-THEMED POST OFFICE (CN)

(230215) -- SHENZHEN, Feb. 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows a coffee-themed post office in Nanshan District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. Shenzhen's first coffee-themed post office opened on Tuesday in the science and technology park in Nanshan District. Featuring a coffee bar, the post office has turned into a place where customers can enjoy drinks like coffee as well as postal services like mail and parcel deliveries. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

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CHINA-GUANGDONG-SHENZHEN-COFFEE-THEMED POST OFFICE (CN)

(230215) -- SHENZHEN, Feb. 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows a coffee-themed post office in Nanshan District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. Shenzhen's first coffee-themed post office opened on Tuesday in the science and technology park in Nanshan District. Featuring a coffee bar, the post office has turned into a place where customers can enjoy drinks like coffee as well as postal services like mail and parcel deliveries. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

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CHINA-GUANGDONG-SHENZHEN-COFFEE-THEMED POST OFFICE (CN)

(230215) -- SHENZHEN, Feb. 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows a coffee-themed post office in Nanshan District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. Shenzhen's first coffee-themed post office opened on Tuesday in the science and technology park in Nanshan District. Featuring a coffee bar, the post office has turned into a place where customers can enjoy drinks like coffee as well as postal services like mail and parcel deliveries. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

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CHINA-GUANGDONG-SHENZHEN-COFFEE-THEMED POST OFFICE (CN)

(230215) -- SHENZHEN, Feb. 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A customer takes a photo of the coffee bar at a coffee-themed post office in Nanshan District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 15, 2023. Shenzhen's first coffee-themed post office opened on Tuesday in the science and technology park in Nanshan District. Featuring a coffee bar, the post office has turned into a place where customers can enjoy drinks like coffee as well as postal services like mail and parcel deliveries. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

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CHINA-GUANGDONG-SHENZHEN-COFFEE-THEMED POST OFFICE (CN)

(230215) -- SHENZHEN, Feb. 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A barista makes coffee at a coffee-themed post office in Nanshan District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 15, 2023. Shenzhen's first coffee-themed post office opened on Tuesday in the science and technology park in Nanshan District. Featuring a coffee bar, the post office has turned into a place where customers can enjoy drinks like coffee as well as postal services like mail and parcel deliveries. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

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CHINA-GUANGDONG-SHENZHEN-COFFEE-THEMED POST OFFICE (CN)

(230215) -- SHENZHEN, Feb. 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A barista holds a cup of latte made by him at a coffee-themed post office in Nanshan District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 15, 2023. Shenzhen's first coffee-themed post office opened on Tuesday in the science and technology park in Nanshan District. Featuring a coffee bar, the post office has turned into a place where customers can enjoy drinks like coffee as well as postal services like mail and parcel deliveries. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

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CHINA-GUANGDONG-SHENZHEN-COFFEE-THEMED POST OFFICE (CN)

(230215) -- SHENZHEN, Feb. 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 15, 2023 shows some packaged coffee beans and cultural and creative products at a coffee-themed post office in Nanshan District in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. Shenzhen's first coffee-themed post office opened on Tuesday in the science and technology park in Nanshan District. Featuring a coffee bar, the post office has turned into a place where customers can enjoy drinks like coffee as well as postal services like mail and parcel deliveries. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

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Okinawa governor race begins

NAHA, Japan - Mikio Shimoji, 53, former state minister in charge of the privatization of postal services, who is running for governor of Okinawa, makes a speech in Naha, the capital city of Japan's southernmost prefecture on Oct. 30, 2014, the first day of official campaigning for a closely watched election on Nov. 16, in which the controversial transfer of a key U.S. military base will take center stage.

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Candidates for Okinawa gubernatorial race hold debate

NAHA, Japan - Candidates for the Okinawa gubernatorial election pose after an open debate in Naha, Japan, on Oct. 17, 2014. From L: Former Naha Mayor Takeshi Onaga, Mikio Shimoji, former minister in charge of privatization of postal services, Shokichi Kina, a former House of Councillors member, and incumbent Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima.

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Japan, Myanmar exchange MOU on help for postal services

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshitaka Shindo (L) exchanges a memorandum of understanding with U Win Than, Myanmar's deputy minister for communications, posts and telegraphs, in Tokyo on April 21, 2014. Japan has agreed to assist Myanmar in introducing a Japanese-style postal service system.

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Cabinet reshuffle

TOKYO, Japan - Tadahiro Matsushita, Japan's new financial services and postal reform minister, enters the office of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in Tokyo on June 4, 2012, with Noda naming him to the post in a Cabinet reshuffle.

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Reappointed postal reform minister Jimi

TOKYO, Japan - Shozaburo Jimi enters the prime minister's office in Tokyo on the morning of Sept. 2, 2011. Jimi, a member of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan's coalition partner the People's New Party, was retained as financial services and postal reform minister the same day.

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Kamei to resign as minister

TOKYO, Japan - People's New Party leader Shizuka Kamei (R) speaks during a news conference with party Secretary General Shozaburo Jimi in Tokyo on June 11, 2010. Kamei announced his resignation as postal and finance services minister in protest against the ruling Democratic Party of Japan's failure to fulfill an accord between the two parties over a postal reform bill, and expressed hope that Jimi will succeed his post.

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Kamei to resign as minister

TOKYO, Japan - People's New Party leader Shizuka Kamei speaks during a news conference to announce his resignation as postal reform minister and financial services minister in Tokyo early June 11, 2010. Kamei protested the ruling Democratic Party of Japan's failure to fulfill an accord between the two parties over a postal reform bill, but said his party will not leave the coalition.

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Kamei to resign as minister

TOKYO, Japan - People's New Party leader Shizuka Kamei speaks during a news conference to announce his resignation as postal reform minister and financial services minister in Tokyo early June 11, 2010. Kamei protested the ruling Democratic Party of Japan's failure to fulfill an accord between the two parties over a postal reform bill, but said his party will not leave the coalition.

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Kan Cabinet gets to work

TOKYO, Japan - (from L) Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada, Prime Minister Naoto Kan and banking and postal services minister Shizuka Kamei attend a Cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on June 9, 2010, as the Cabinet got to work after inauguration the previous day.

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JP to make 65,000 nonregular employees into full-time workers

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Post Holdings Co. President Jiro Saito speaks about the company's plan to award regular-worker status to some 65,000 of 200,000 nonregular employees during a press conference in Tokyo on May 7, 2010. Saito said the plan is aimed at helping to stabilize employment in line with a bill to scale back the planned privatization of state-backed postal services.

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Dispute grows within Hatoyama Cabinet over postal reform

TOKYO, Japan - Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano speaks at a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on March 25, 2010. Hirano said Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama had told him that the Cabinet needs to discuss a postal reform plan unveiled by the financial affairs and postal services minister the previous day.

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Gov't to make major changes in Japan Post privatization plans

TOKYO, Japan - Financial Services Minister Shizuka Kamei (L) speaks at a news conference, also attended by Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi (R), to reveal an outline of a bill to make major changes in the nation's postal privatization plans at the Diet building on March 24, 2010. (Pool photo)

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Gov't to make major changes in Japan Post privatization plans

TOKYO, Japan - Financial Services Minister Shizuka Kamei speaks at a news conferenc to reveal an outline of a bill to make major changes in the nation's postal privatization plans at the Diet building on March 24, 2010. (Pool photo)

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Gov't to make major changes in Japan Post privatization plans

TOKYO, Japan - Financial Services Minister Shizuka Kamei (L) speaks at a news conference, also attended by Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi (C), to reveal an outline of a bill to make major changes in the nation's postal privatization plans at the Diet building on March 24, 2010. (Pool photo)

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Gov't draft bill would realign Japan Post group into 3 firms

TOKYO, Japan - Shizuka Kamei, state minister in charge of postal and financial affairs, briefs reporters on the government draft bill to review the postal privatization process at the Financial Services Agency in Tokyo on Feb. 8, 2020. The draft proposes a realignment of the Japan Post group into three companies from the current five.

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Kamei taps former vice finance minister Saito to succeed Nishikawa

TOKYO, Japan - Shizuka Kamei, state minister in charge of postal reform, speaks during a press conference at the Financial Services Agency on Oct. 21, 2009, saying he will appoint former Vice Finance Minister Jiro Saito as Japan Post Holdings Co. president to succeed Yoshifumi Nishikawa.

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Cabinet shifts from Koizumi's postal privatization scheme

TOKYO, Japan - Financial and postal services minister Shizuka Kamei speaks during a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on Oct. 20. 2009, over the government's basic policy for reviewing the postal privatization scheme launched in 2007.

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Koizumi postal reform strategist Takahashi suspected of theft

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows Yoichi Takahashi, a key architect of former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's project to privatize postal services, who has been accused of theft. Police allege that Takahashi, a former elite bureaucrat at the Finance Ministry, stole a wallet and a luxury watch at a hot spring facility on March 24.

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Aso's cash handout plan now on the line

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso heads for a Cabinet meeting in the parliament building on Feb. 13. Aso's pet project of giving people a cash handout to prop up the declining economy is now on the line, after his recent negative comments about privatization of postal services angered one of Japan's most influential lawmakers -- former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who spearheaded the privatization.

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Aso willing to review split-up of postal services

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Taro Aso speaks during a session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee on Feb. 5. Aso said he is willing to review a planned four-way split of Japan's postal services being considered under the postal privatization initiatives launched by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

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China, Taiwan start direct air, shipping, postal services

TIANJIN, China - Workers see off a freight ship leaving for Taiwan's Kaohsiung at China's Tianjin Port on Dec. 15. Taiwan and China launched direct air and sea cargo as well as postal links, lifting a 60-year ban on such links amid a dramatic easing of tensions between the historic rivals.

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China, Taiwan start direct air, shipping, postal services

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan - Taiwanese President Ma Ying-Jeou delivers a speech during a freighter send-off ceremony at Taiwan's Kaohsiung Port on Dec. 15. Taiwan and China launched direct air and sea cargo as well as postal links, lifting a 60-year ban on such links amid a dramatic easing of tensions between the historic rivals.

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China, Taiwan start direct air, shipping, postal services

TIANJIN, China - Lien Chan (3rd from L), former chairman of Taiwan's Nationalist Party, attends a freighter send-off ceremony at China's Tianjin Port on Dec. 15. Taiwan and China launched direct air and sea cargo as well as postal links, lifting a 60-year ban on such links amid a dramatic easing of tensions between the historic rivals.

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New Zealand GDP increases 2 pct in Q3

STORY: New Zealand GDP increases 2 pct in Q3 DATELINE: Dec. 15, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:05 LOCATION: Wellington CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of street view 2. various of a port 3. various of a production line of milk 4. various of a supermarket 5. various of a honey farm STORYLINE: New Zealand's gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 2 percent in the September 2022 quarter, following a revised 1.9 percent rise in the June quarter, the statistics department Stats NZ said on Thursday. This rise was driven primarily by the services industries, which was up 2 percent. The transport, postal, and warehousing industry was the biggest contributor to the growth, up 9.7 percent, Stats NZ said. "With borders opening to all visitors in the September 2022 quarter, we have seen more spending on both international and domestic air travel," said Stats NZ's industry and production senior manager Ruvani Ratnayake. The business services industry also contributed to the result, driven by computer system services, recrui

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Japan starts 10-year postal privatization process

TAKAMATSU, Japan - A Japan Post Service staffer wearing a new uniform leaves to deliver mail in Shionoe, Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, on Oct. 1 as Japan started the process of privatizing its state-run postal services.

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Japan starts 10-year postal privatization process

TOKYO, Japan - Staff (R side) at a Japan Post Bank office in Tokyo's Marunouchi district greet customers on Oct. 1 as Japan started the process of privatizing its state-run postal services.

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Japan starts 10-year postal privatization process

TOKYO, Japan - A ceremony to launch the process of privatizing Japan's state-run postal services is held in Tokyo on Oct. 1. From L to R are former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, former Japan Post President Masaharu Ikuta, Japan Post President Yoshifumi Nishikawa, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Hiroya Masuda.

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Japan starts 10-year postal privatization process

TOKYO, Japan - A new signboard appears at a post office in Tokyo's Chuo Ward on Sept. 30 ahead of the start on Oct. 1 of the process of privatizing Japan's state-run postal services. State-backed Japan Post will be reorganized into four firms dealing respectively with banking, insurance, mail-delivery and over-the-counter services under a holding company.