Japan Air Cargo Market

Japan Air Cargo Market Overview:

The Japan air cargo market size reached 5.84 Million Tons in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach 15.66 Million Tons by ​2033​, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 11.58% during ​2025-2033​. At present, airlines and freight service companies are investing in digital tracking systems and automating logistics to enhance service quality and increase capacity. Besides this, the growing need for pharmaceutical products that require efficient handling and timely delivery to maintain their efficacy is contributing to the expansion of the Japan air cargo market share.

Japan Air Cargo Market Trends:

Expansion of e-commerce portals

The expansion of e-commerce portals is positively influencing the market. According to PCMI's data, Japan's total e-commerce volume for 2024 reached USD 380 Billion. E-commerce platforms demand faster and more reliable logistics solutions to meet user expectations for quick delivery, and air cargo is becoming a preferred mode due to its speed and efficiency. Japanese retailers and e-commerce companies continue to rely on air transport to move goods quickly across domestic and international markets. This trend is creating the need for timely, secure, and temperature-sensitive deliveries, especially for electronics, fashion, and perishables. The requirement for efficient last-mile delivery is also increasing air cargo volumes, as companies try to meet same-day or next-day delivery targets. Warehousing and distribution networks near airports are expanding to support quicker transit times. Airlines and cargo service providers are investing in digital tracking systems and logistics automation to improve service quality and capacity. Moreover, the broadening of cross-border online trade is contributing to the rising adoption of international air cargo services. Japan’s strong digital infrastructure, high internet penetration, and urban density are supporting e-commerce activities, thus catalyzing the demand for advanced air cargo logistics.

Increasing demand in pharmaceutical industry

The escalating demand in the pharmaceutical industry is impelling the Japan air cargo market growth. Pharmaceuticals, including vaccines, biologics, and specialty medicines, often require strict handling and timely delivery to maintain their efficacy. Air cargo offers the speed and reliability necessary to meet these critical logistics requirements. As Japan’s aging population is rising and healthcare needs are expanding, the volume of imported and exported medical products is increasing. Pharmaceutical companies rely on air freight to move products between manufacturing facilities, research centers, and distribution hubs, both domestically and internationally. The demand for precision and compliance with safety standards is encouraging air cargo providers to wager on specialized storage and cold chain infrastructure. Japan’s advanced healthcare system and stringent regulatory environment are also enabling high standards in logistics services. Furthermore, worldwide health challenges and rising research and development (R&D) activities are enhancing imports of medical equipment and drug components. Consequently, the market in Japan continues to grow in response to the thriving pharmaceutical sector’s need for rapid, secure, and efficient transportation solutions. According to the IMARC Group, Japan pharmaceutical market is set to attain USD 101.90 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 2.57% during 2025-2033.

Japan Air Cargo Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on type, service, destination, and end user.

Type Insights:

• Air Freight
• Air Mail

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the type. This includes air freight and air mail.

Service Insights:

• Express
• Regular

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the service have also been provided in the report. This includes express and regular.

Destination Insights:

• Domestic
• International

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the destination. This includes domestic and international.

End User Insights:

• Retail
• Food and Beverages
• Pharmaceutical and Healthcare
• Consumer Electronics
• Automotive
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end user have also been provided in the report. This includes retail, food and beverages, pharmaceutical and healthcare, consumer electronics, automotive, and others.

Regional Insights:

• Kanto Region
• Kansai/Kinki Region
• Central/Chubu Region 
• Kyushu-Okinawa Region
• Tohoku Region
• Chugoku Region
• Hokkaido Region
• Shikoku Region

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Kanto Region, Kansai/Kinki Region, Central/Chubu Region, Kyushu-Okinawa Region, Tohoku Region, Chugoku Region, Hokkaido Region, and Shikoku Region.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

Japan Air Cargo Market News:

• In March 2025, Japan Airlines (JAL) and Kalitta Air established a partnership for regular cargo services from Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD). The agreement allowed JAL to cater to the ongoing robust demand for cargo transport by offering reliable and versatile air cargo services with the inclusion of large cargo planes from a partner company. Between April 4 and April 26, cargo capacity would be available on flights run by Kalitta aboard a 747-400F, and starting May 10, the codeshare would feature flights operated by Kalitta Air using a 777-300ERSF.
• In January 2025, ANA Holdings, headquartered in Tokyo, obtained authorization from Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) for its intended acquisition of Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA). The competition authority indicated that in the total cargo sector, the airlines owned by NCA and ANA Holdings, such as All Nippon Airways, would possess a market share of roughly 30% for the Los Angeles region and 35% for the Chicago region.

Japan Air Cargo Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the Japan air cargo market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the Japan air cargo market on the basis of type?
• What is the breakup of the Japan air cargo market on the basis of service?
• What is the breakup of the Japan air cargo market on the basis of destination?
• What is the breakup of the Japan air cargo market on the basis of end user?
• What is the breakup of the Japan air cargo market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the Japan air cargo market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the Japan air cargo market?
• What is the structure of the Japan air cargo market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the Japan air cargo market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Japan air cargo market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Japan air cargo market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Japan air cargo industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.