The Japanese automotive industry installed a total of about 13,000 industrial robots in 2024, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). This is an 11% increase on the previous year, and is the highest level recorded since 2020.

The Japanese automotive industry is currently restructuring to adapt to alternative powertrains. Most car manufacturers intend to expand their range of battery and fuel cell electric vehicles. Japanese manufacturers are also developing hydrogen-fuelled combustion engines. This diversified portfolio will require the appropriate production technology.

Car manufacturers represent approximately 25% of all robot installations on an annual basis in Japan. The electrical and electronics industry is the only sector that installs more robots. Their installations reached about 14,000 industrial robots in 2024, which reflects a 5% decrease.

“Japan is the world´s predominant robot manufacturing country representing 38% of global robot production,” said Takayuki Ito, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “In terms of factory automation, Japan’s automotive industry ranked fourth worldwide with a robot density of 1,531 robots per 10,000 employees in 2023. This is ahead of the United States and Germany only behind Slovenia, Korea and Switzerland.”