The mailroom prepares for the holiday rush

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan-- Senior Airman Shyrhonda Hickman, 374th Communications Squadron, hands packages to Dora Jaje. As the holidays get closer, families of Yokota Air Base are reminded to check their mailboxes daily to allow plenty of storage for the 600 or more packages that the post office expects to recieve on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leandra D Hernandez)

The mailroom prepares for the holiday rush

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan-- Senior Airman Harold Sorto, Detatchment 2, helps members of the 374th Communications Squadron unload mail and packages for the families of Yokota Air Base. The post office recieves an average of 2,500 packages a week. During the holidays, the packages are expected to double in number. Volunteers are always needed and can contact the Postmaster, MSgt Bruce Okazaki at 225-3957. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leandra D Hernandez)

The mailroom prepares for the holiday rush

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan--Senior Airman Brittany Watkins, 374th Communications Squadron sorts the bags of mail. On a daily average the post office recieves about 300 or more packages. The amount is expected to double as the holidays near. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leandra D Hernandez)

Yokota post office prepares for the holiday season

Published Nov. 6, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Eric Summers
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The holiday season is quickly approaching and the postal service at Yokota is preparing for an increase in both shipping and receiving of packages.

"We normally receive an average of 2,500 packages a week, but around the Christmas holiday season our numbers usually double," said Master Sgt. Bruce Okazaki, 374th Communications Squadron post master.

To counteract the large loads of mail being received because of the holiday season, beginning Nov. 22 the post office will extend its hours as listed below.

Parcel mailing section
Tuesday- Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday- Monday: closed

Parcel pick-up
Monday- Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: closed

"We will also extend our hours on Christmas Eve to process the last truck which arrives at 3 p.m.," said Sergeant Okazaki.

The mailing deadline dates for post offices in mainland Japan for the 2008 Christmas season are as follows:

Space Available Mail (SAM): 28 Nov 08
Priority Mail (APP): 8 Dec 08
Letter/First Class Mail: 8 Dec 08
Express Mail (EMMS): 15 Dec 08

During the holidays, when the mail volume doubles, the best time to for customers to pick-up mail is after 3 p.m. Customers mailing five or more items can set up an appointment to shorten waiting time by calling Staff Sgt. Kim Parks, in the parcel mailing section, at 225-8511.

With the increase in mail being shipped and received the post office will be accepting volunteers to make sure all of Santa's gifts are delivered. If interested call the post master at 225-3957.