On March 18, 2025, Prologis held a groundbreaking ceremony for the 'Prologis Park Koriyama 1' in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. This facility is set to be a crucial asset for Yamato Transport, developed as a build-to-suit (BTS) logistics complex.
'Prologis Park Koriyama 1' features a two-story structure with a planned floor area of approximately 41,100 square meters and is scheduled for completion in October 2026. This logistics hub will mark the third dedicated center for Yamato Transport, following the successful launches of the Miyagi Terminal of 'Prologis Park Sendai Izumi 2' in September 2018 and the last-mile hub of 'Prologis Park Toyonaka', which is expected to launch in March 2026.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by key figures, including representatives from Yamato Transport, Koriyama City Mayor Yukari Shiokawa, and executives from Fukuda and Partners and Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd. Mitake Yamada, the CEO of Prologis, was also present, emphasizing the significance of this project.
Strategically located, the development site is adjacent to the 'Koriyama Central SIC' on the Tohoku Expressway, which allows for excellent access to major regions. The hub provides significant logistical advantages due to its proximity to major transportation routes, including the intersection of the Tohoku and Ban-etsu Expressways. It's approximately three hours from the Tokyo metropolitan area, about an hour from Sendai City, and two hours from Niigata City, making it a critical point for regional distribution.
Koriyama City, with a population of 320,000, is the second most populated area in the Tohoku region, just after Sendai City. The site boasts an intended layout that prioritizes accessibility, being only a 20-minute drive from the city center, which offers even more employment opportunities.
A noteworthy feature of the new facility is its resilience against disasters. In the event of an emergency, the direct access to multiple detour routes, including the Ban-etsu Expressway, is vital for transporting disaster relief supplies to both Tohoku and the Tokyo metropolitan area. This consideration highlights the facility's adherence to Business Continuity Planning (BCP) practices.
Logistically, the facility is designed to ensure operational efficiency with two dedicated slopes that allow 45-foot semi-trailers to access the upper floors directly. The design includes a total of 85 truck berths along the facility's north and south sides, blending convenience with operational capacity. In order to facilitate safe transport during adverse weather conditions, road heaters will be installed on these slopes for snow melting.
Additionally, an emergency power generator is part of the facility's design to maintain operations during power interruptions. Yamato Transport intends to utilize the site as a hub for collecting and sorting cargo directed to Fukushima Prefecture, while also serving as a dispatch point for shipments heading out to various locations across Japan.
Moreover, the facility will be equipped with specialized temperature-controlled storage spaces. This includes a freezing area that can reach minus 25 degrees Celsius for the preservation of perishable goods, alongside a refrigerated space set at 7 degrees Celsius, catering to the rising demand for cool deliveries.
The overarching project, named 'Fukushima Koriyama LL Town', is a collaboration between Prologis and Fukuda and Partners, who will also oversee the development of 'Prologis Park Koriyama 2', a multi-tenant facility. In addition, they plan to build the 'Fukushima Koriyama Future Co-Creation Center', which will feature advanced disaster prevention capabilities, providing a highly functional logistics accumulation hub.
The term 'LL' in 'LL Town' stands for 'Logistics' and 'Lifeline', symbolizing the project’s intention to create sustainable logistics facilities that safeguard community well-being. A total planned area of approximately 138,000 square meters underscores the commitment to fostering logistics operations that support both the economy and disaster management in this vital region.
Prologis's footprint in the Tohoku region continues to grow, with 'Prologis Park Koriyama 1' being the 13th logistics facility they have developed in the area. The company is currently managing four logistics facilities in Morioka and Sendai, while also pursuing further development at 'Prologis Park Kitakami Kanegasaki' and planning for 'Prologis Park Sendai Izumi 3', where they are actively seeking potential tenants. This ongoing commitment underlines Prologis’s role as a pivotal player in enhancing logistics efficiency in Japan and ensuring a rapid response capability in times of dire need.
