NX Group Makes Strategic Investment in CBcloud to Advance Japan’s Digital Logistics Ecosystem
NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. has announced that the company has acquired a stake in CBcloud Co., Ltd., the operator of PickGo — one of Japan’s largest digital delivery platforms connecting shippers directly with a nationwide network of freelance delivery drivers. The investment was made through the NX Global Innovation Investment Limited Partnership. In addition to the equity purchase, both organizations formalized a capital and business alliance agreement on October 31, marking an important step toward accelerating innovation in Japan’s fast-evolving logistics sector.
This partnership underscores the NX Group’s commitment to leveraging new technologies and service models that can help address key economic and operational challenges facing transportation and logistics providers across the country. By aligning with CBcloud, the NX Group aims to enhance logistics visibility, optimize delivery performance, and drive workforce development amid a rapidly tightening labor environment.
CBcloud Company Profile
Founded in 2013, CBcloud has grown into a leading technology-driven logistics innovator. The company develops digital solutions designed to form a new foundation for transport and delivery operations within Japan. Guided by the vision of “adding greater value to delivery,” CBcloud strives to address urgent logistics challenges through tools that improve efficiency, reliability, and fairness for both customers and transport providers.
Its flagship platform, PickGo, is Japan’s largest delivery matching service, connecting customers directly with approximately 70,000 freelance delivery drivers. By enabling quick and seamless pairing of shippers with qualified drivers, PickGo improves operational flexibility, reduces wait times, and enhances delivery capacity — especially during periods of high demand.
PickGo is distinguished not only by the scale of its registered driver network but also by its robust support framework. A 24-hour dispatch coordination and customer service system ensures that delivery needs are met at any time. Meanwhile, a driver evaluation mechanism helps safeguard quality by collecting user feedback and ensuring appropriate assessment of driver performance. This review structure empowers drivers to build proven track records, supports career development, and upholds reliable service standards.
Through these initiatives, CBcloud is actively tackling pressing nationwide logistics issues, particularly the shortage of qualified delivery personnel. The company’s technology infrastructure has allowed many shippers to reduce operational bottlenecks while enabling drivers to take on work more flexibly and sustainably.
Investment Background and Strategic Goals
Japan’s logistics industry finds itself at a major turning point. With freight volumes continuing to increase and available driver capacity tightening, securing adequate transportation resources has become a persistent challenge. The shortage of drivers has been exacerbated by an aging workforce and changing labor conditions. These constraints have driven companies to re-evaluate conventional transportation models and explore new methods for enhancing productivity.
In response to these challenges, the government has implemented multiple reforms, including revisions to the 2024 Act on the Advancement of Integration and the Streamlining of the Distribution Business, amendments to the Motor Truck Transportation Business Act, and the establishment of new trucking legislation set to take effect in 2025. These measures aim to create a healthier and more sustainable logistics ecosystem through improved productivity, better alignment of labor resources, and increased compliance requirements. The advancing regulatory environment is projected to accelerate structural transformation throughout the industry.
Against this backdrop, the NX Group sees CBcloud as a key partner in promoting reform, innovation, and digitization in logistics. By investing in CBcloud and forming a strategic alliance, the NX Group aims to improve logistics visibility and efficiency across transport operations. CBcloud’s sophisticated driver evaluation system, which directly correlates driver contributions to individual shipment outcomes, also helps ensure that workers receive appropriate feedback while strengthening professional development pathways.
Together, the two companies intend to jointly tackle social issues such as labor shortages, sustainability, and operational productivity by building improved digital logistics infrastructure nationwide.
Key Collaboration Initiatives
As part of the capital and business alliance, the NX Group and CBcloud have identified a series of initiatives to support operational integration, system development, and compliance improvements. These initiatives will help expand the capabilities of both organizations while strengthening the overall logistics environment in Japan.
1. Utilization of PickGo Services by the NX Group
The NX Group plans to incorporate PickGo into its logistics operations to enhance responsiveness to urgent delivery needs. With PickGo’s extensive nationwide driver network, the Group will be able to quickly fulfill rush orders or provide same-day delivery, offering customers greater flexibility and service assurance.
In addition to making use of the platform for its own delivery assignments, the NX Group will participate as a logistics partner within the PickGo ecosystem, accepting delivery requests directly from PickGo customers. This participation supports mutual growth while promoting efficient vehicle routing and improved cargo load factor rates. Ultimately, these efforts aim to reduce wasted capacity and achieve more resource-efficient transportation, particularly in markets where driver capacity is constrained.
2. Development of an Electronic Storage System for Transaction Documents
Another major initiative involves the digital storage of delivery-related documentation. The NX Group intends to establish an electronic system linking PickGo with WAN-RECORD Plus, a digital archiving solution provided by NX Wanbishi Archives. This system will enable secure and compliant storage of reports and other documents generated upon completion of delivery tasks.
A key feature of this initiative is an optional service that will allow PickGo users — both within and outside the NX Group — to electronically store records required under Article 5 of the Act Against Delay in Payment of Subcontract Proceeds, Etc., to Subcontractors. Traditionally, these documents have been stored in paper form, contributing to administrative burden and compliance risk. By digitizing these records in a secure platform, the solution will help improve transparency, reduce manual processing, and enhance regulatory compliance across the industry.
3. Development of New Systems Based on PickGo
Looking ahead, the NX Group will work collaboratively with CBcloud to build new logistics systems centered around the PickGo platform. This development effort aims to digitize the NX Group’s transportation workflows, thereby improving management efficiency, reducing administrative workload, and enhancing information compatibility with existing internal and external systems.
These upgrades are expected to improve operational quality and support compliance with the “obligation to make efforts” under new trucking laws enacted in 2025. With improved digital coordination between drivers, shippers, and dispatch systems, the NX Group hopes to achieve higher transparency, better load optimization, and more streamlined daily operations.
Supporting the Future of Japan’s Logistics Ecosystem
Through this alliance, NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS and CBcloud are positioning themselves at the forefront of logistics transformation in Japan. By combining their strengths — NX’s vast logistics infrastructure and CBcloud’s advanced digital capabilities — the organizations will work to mitigate industry-wide challenges while paving the way for more resilient, flexible, and sustainable delivery systems.
As Japan’s logistics environment continues to evolve under new regulatory, labor, and operational pressures, partnerships like this one will play a critical role in enabling companies to modernize their systems and maintain the consistent flow of goods essential to everyday life.
The NX Group’s strategic investment in CBcloud marks a significant milestone in its journey to build next-generation logistics infrastructure that empowers businesses, drivers, and consumers alike.