Nagasaki Newspaper Delivery Route Data Mapping Project "The Way"

 

Nagasaki Shimbun

Nagasaki Shimbun Delivery Route Data Mapping Project "The Way"

　
Nagasaki Shimbun is promoting its Nagasaki Newspaper Delivery Route Data Mapping Project "The Way" through YouTube, a dedicated website, and print editions. This project was conceived to commemorate the company's 125th anniversary this year and its first new rotary press installation in 18 years. It aims to visually overview and reaffirm the daily practice of "people delivering to people directly," which is arguably the essence of newspapers. Nagasaki Prefecture, with its 594 islands and a coastline stretching 4,189 kilometers, boasts one of Japan's most complex transportation networks. By collecting delivery personnel's travel data via GPS receivers and aggregating it onto map data, the delivery route map emerged impressively.

A video produced as part of the project begins with the early morning scenery of Nagasaki accompanied by birdsong, then shows the process from the start of morning newspaper printing to the completion of delivery. The printed morning papers are loaded onto trucks, transported to remote islands by ship or plane, and delivered to local retailers. Then, by the hands of each individual delivery person pedaling bicycles and racing up hills, they reach every single reader's doorstep. As time passes, the GPS-captured trajectories transform into thin lines of light representing delivery routes, drawn across the dark map.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MlvrM14vX4

The video showcases not only newspaper printing and delivery scenes but also Nagasaki's residential hillside neighborhoods, the Megane Bridge, churches and boat landings on remote islands, and the unique natural beauty of Nagasaki—its lush, green islands and seas glistening in the morning sun, captured from above using drones. It fully conveys Nagasaki's charm and beauty. Many comments like "This video made me want to visit Nagasaki" have been posted on social media, contributing to the local community by attracting tourists to Nagasaki.

The video was produced by Nagasaki-born filmmaker Yuki Nagakawa. A former Dentsu Inc. employee who worked in Media Services / Newspaper Division, Nagakawa's deep knowledge of Nagasaki's attractions and local newspapers made this video possible. The carefully crafted footage conveys respect for the delivery staff.

Mitsuo Akashi of the Nagasaki Shimbun Tokyo Branch Sales Department reflected, "We considered various ideas initially, but decided on this project because we wanted to try something new. It was only possible with the cooperation of 148 sales outlets and 2,285 delivery staff. We operated 150 GPS receivers at full capacity for 40 days during the peak of summer. It was a company-wide effort with cross-departmental collaboration." "We're delighted to have received numerous comments not only from within Nagasaki Prefecture, but also from outside the prefecture and overseas, saying things like 'I had no idea deliveries were made this way,' 'I was moved!' and 'Newspapers are amazing!' The YouTube video has garnered approximately 80,000 views (as of September 25). This initiative by a regional newspaper has spread beyond the prefecture to other regions and overseas, creating new value. Furthermore, it likely showcased the unique strengths of a regional paper in tourism promotion, production, and planning capabilities," he said.

The special website also allows users to view the delivery route from a bird's-eye perspective. They can navigate Google Maps or move the route from the time of departure from headquarters to the completion of delivery at any desired time.
http://nagasaki-theway.com/

The September 3 special insert of the Nagasaki Shimbun featured images and introduced this project.