Japan’s Automotive Sector Sees Surge in Robot Installations Amid Powertrain Shift

The Japanese automotive industry installed approximately 13,000 industrial robots in 2024, marking an 11% increase from the previous year and the highest level since 2020, according to preliminary data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). Japan, which accounts for 38% of global robot production, ranks fourth worldwide in automotive robot density with 1,531 robots per 10,000 employees in 2023, trailing only Slovenia, Korea, and Switzerland, and surpassing the United States and Germany.

The industry is undergoing a restructuring to accommodate alternative powertrains, with manufacturers expanding production of battery and fuel cell electric vehicles and developing hydrogen-fueled combustion engines. This shift requires advanced production technologies, with car manufacturers representing about 25% of Japan’s annual robot installations. In comparison, the electrical and electronics sector, the leading user of robots in Japan, installed approximately 14,000 robots in 2024, a 5% decrease from the prior year.

Takayuki Ito, President of the IFR, noted that robotics is integral to Japan’s industrial landscape and is increasingly relevant to everyday applications. The upcoming “Future Creation Robot Week,” held during Expo 2025 in Osaka from July 13 to 19, will highlight robotics advancements. The event features three exhibition z...