Nippon Express Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, Japan, was founded in 1872 under the name of Riku-un Moto Kaisha (the Land Transport Company). It was re-established as a semi-government transportation enterprise in 1937.

From 1941 to 1945 Nippon Express consolidated Japan's transportation companies, and began its modern-day operations.

In 1950, with the enactment of the Express Business Act, the company was reestablished, as a private company was re-invented as a full-fledged, legally recognized corporation.

Four years later, the company began its travel service and domestic air freight forwarding operations. In 1962 Nippon Express USA, Inc., was established, and in 1964 began marine transport operations using three-ton containers. The company expanded into Asia/Oceania in 1964 with representative offices opening in Hong Kong, followed by offices opening in Taipei and Sydney in 1967.

In 1966, the company began its European operations with representative offices in Duesseldorf, Amsterdam and Rome.

In 1979, Nippon Express (H.K.) Co., Ltd., was opened along with Nippon Express do Brasil Ltda., the Company's first operation in South America. Global expansion continued throughout the 1980's culminating in the launch of its worldwide communications network in 1992 when its global network expanded to more than 200 bases of operation.

In 2001, Nippon Express launched its Three-Year Group Management Plan, emphasizing global expansion and upgrade of its information technology to reposition the company as a worldwide leader in the new age of logistics as well as fulfilling its social responsibilities as a global logistics company.