| 1892 | Union of Japanese Shipping Industries established. |
| 1893 | Japan's first long-distance liner service begins on Bombay route. |
| 1896 | Liner service begins on European route. |
| 1901 | Union of Japanese Shipping Industries renamed Union of Japanese Shipowners. |
| 1905 | Japanese merchant fleet tonnage ranks sixth in the world. |
| 1911 | Japanese-American treaty of commerce and navigation signed. |
| 1915 | Around-the-world liner service begins. |
| 1917 | State-controlled shipping policy promulgated. |
| 1920 | Union of Japanese Shipowners reorganized, becoming the Shipowners' Association of Japan, a nationwide shipping organization. |
| 1937 | Around-the-world liner service via Panama Canal begins. |
| 1940 | State-controlled shipping policy promulgated. Shiowner's Association of Japan reorganized, becoming Japanese Shipping Association. |
| 1942.4 | Government begins Commandeering ships. |
| 1947.6 | Japanese Shipping Association dissolved, the Japanese Shipowners' Association (JSA) established. |
| 1950.4 | State-owned shipping privatized. |
| 1957.4 | The JSA joins the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) |
| 1957.5 | The JSA joins the International Shipping Federation (ISF) |
| 1964.4 | Shipping industry consolidated into six groups. |
| 1968.9 | Hakone Maru, Japan's first container ship, begins service on California route. |
| 1969.8 | Japan Magnolia, Japan's first unattended machinery space ship, completed. |
| 1975 | Nissei Maru, the world's largest oil tanker completed. |
| 1983.8 | Japan's first LNG tanker begins service. |
| 1989 | Fuji Maru, Japan's luxury cruise ship begins service. |
| 1990.2 | Mixed manning crew on Japanese flag ships introduced. |
| 1992.4 | Asian Shipowners' Forum (ASF) organized, 1st ASF AGM held in Tokyo. |
| 1996.7 | 1st Marine Day (20th July) held as a national holiday. |
| 1997.6 | The JSA cerebrate its 50th anniversary. |
| 1997.9 | FMC takes sanctions against three Japanese shipping companies by virtue of Japanese harbour practices. |
| 1998.5 | Transitional business in coastal shipping introduced. |
| 1999.5 | 8th ASF AGM held in Tokyo. |
| 2001.1 | The JSA adopts its Environmental Charter. |
