Yamato Transport Co. said Tuesday it has started delivering noncorrespondence documents such as direct mail, magazines and catalogs collected by German postal giant Deutsche Post World Net.
The move could lead to intensified competition between Yamato and Japan Post.
Yamato Transport said its tieup with Deutsche Post Global Mail GmbH, a group firm of Deutsche Post World Net, started in April on a trial basis, with Yamato delivering in Japan printed material collected worldwide by the German postal firm.
The two agreed to launch the joint service officially on Monday. As for correspondence, Japan Post will continue to deliver documents on behalf of Deutsche Post.
Yamato said Deutsche Post decided to switch its noncorrespondence mail delivery partner from Japan Post as the German firm was satisfied with Yamato's services, such as providing clients with delivery completion information.
Private companies in Japan are barred by law from delivering correspondence documents.