Five Companies Jointly Conduct Survey on Cost Management and Calculation Practices of Trucking Operators

Ascend Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Mizuki Kusaka; hereinafter referred to as "Our Company"), which supports logistics from the operational front to management and strategy, aiming for the sustainable evolution of logistics that supports society, will jointly conduct a "Survey on the Actual Conditions of Cost Management and Calculation" targeting truck transport operators with Funai Soken Supply Chain Consulting Inc., Azoop Inc., Tsuzuki Electric Co., Ltd., and CRE Inc., starting June 9, 2026.

Background of the Survey Implementation

Truck transport, which plays a role as social infrastructure by "delivering goods." Despite its importance, the industry faces severe business conditions, with an overall operating profit margin of 0.0% for the entire transport industry, and falling into negative territory for small businesses with 20 or fewer vehicles (※1). While 83% of businesses respond that they "conduct" cost calculation, which is essential for improving such a situation (※2), the price pass-through rate in the truck transport industry has been at the lowest level among all 27 industries for many years (※3), suggesting that cost calculation is not being sufficiently utilized for freight rate negotiations and management decisions.

In light of these circumstances, we will conduct a "Survey on the Actual Conditions of Cost Management and Calculation" to clarify the specific realities of how each business manages and utilizes each cost item and at what granularity.

※1 All Japan Truck Association "Management Analysis Report Fiscal Year 2022 Closing Edition"
※2 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "Survey Results on Standard Freight Rates (Fiscal Year 2023)"
※3 Small and Medium Enterprise Agency "Price Negotiation Promotion Month Follow-up Survey"

About the Survey Content

Survey Overview

Survey Name

Survey on Actual Conditions of Cost Utilization and Response to Cost Increases by Transport Companies

Target Audience

Individuals belonging to truck transport operators engaged in actual operations

Survey Method

Web questionnaire (Google Forms)

※Click here to respond

Response Period

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Survey Items

This survey will inquire about the following four themes:

1. Status of Cost Items and Cost Management

　Management status of each cost item such as fuel costs, labor costs, and vehicle costs, and challenges in cost management and calculation
2. Recording Method for Cost Calculation Data

　Methods for recording operating hours, operating distance, and load volume, and systems being utilized
3. Frequency of Cost Calculation Implementation and Utilization

　Frequency of profit/loss judgment, and reflection in freight rate determination
4. Response Status to Cost Increases

　Cost changes in the past year, actual status of price pass-through, and measures taken

Jointly Implementing Companies

Funai Soken Supply Chain Consulting Inc.
Azoop Inc.
Tsuzuki Electric Co., Ltd.
CRE Inc.

Utilization of Survey Results

The results of this survey are scheduled to be shared with respondents and jointly implementing companies around mid-July 2026, and will also be published as a report for industry stakeholders.

Furthermore, a joint seminar based on the survey results is planned to be held in August 2026.

Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Ascend Inc. Contact: Business Growth Team, Questionnaire Planning Representative (Shimohigoshi)
Email: growth-support@ascendlogi.co.jp Tel: 03-6555-3055

About Our Company

Founded in March 2020 with the mission "To unlock the true value of logistics and support all industries."

Aspiring to "realize the ideal management for transport operators," we provide the transport management system "Logix," which allows transport operators of any fleet size to easily improve operational efficiency and achieve management DX. In addition, we are involved in the actual condition surveys and analysis projects of the logistics industry by government ministries such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, promoting DX in the logistics industry from both macro policy recommendations and grassroots support.

Representative Director Mizuki Kusaka serves as a committee member of the JILS "Logistics Innovation Promotion Committee," an expert committee member of the "Logistics Management Indicator Survey," a director of the Transport Digital Business Council (TDBC), and a lecturer for the All Japan Truck Association DX course, dedicating himself to the enlightenment and development of the industry.

In November 2025, we raised 1.1 billion yen in a Series B round, bringing our total funding to 1.8 billion yen.

Starting March 2026, we will promote our "4PL Business," which comprehensively undertakes strategic design and logistics arrangement for supply chain optimization, aiming to transform the logistics industry, which faces structural challenges with multiple business developments.

Company Information

Headquarters Location: 2-7-19 Ichigayasadatocho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Tanaka Hozon Building 3F
Representative: President and Representative Director Mizuki Kusaka
Established: March 2020
Capital: 1.42389 billion yen (including capital reserve, etc.)
Number of Employees: 44 (as of April 2026)
Business Description: Development and provision of transport management system Logix, logistics consulting services, 4PL
Company HP: https://www.ascendlogi.co.jp/
4PL Business Page: https://shipper.ascendlogi.co.jp/
Series B Funding Special Site: https://series-b.ascendlogi.co.jp/