Japanese courier giant Yamato Holdings is joining hands with one of the nation's biggest airlines to strengthen its delivery operations.
Cargo flights with Japan Airlines are set to start in April next year.

Ahead of the launch, the first airplane bearing Yamato's iconic black cat logo arrived at Narita Airport on Monday.

Yamato says the plane can carry a maximum of 28 tons of cargo. That's about the same as six truckloads.

The courier company will have a fleet of three planes. This will give it a new mode of transport for long-distance deliveries as it faces a shortage of truck drivers.
A Japan Airlines subsidiary will handle the operations, making up to 21 flights a day.
These will connect Narita and Haneda airports in the Tokyo area with major cities in the north and south.

The transportation industry is likely to face even more severe labor shortages from April.
That's when overtime work for truck drivers is set to be capped.

That is also prompting other companies to take proactive steps.
Major airline operator ANA Holdings has announced plans to acquire an air-freight shipping firm.