Robot installations at highest level in five years

Japan is the world's leading manufacturer of industrial robots with a market share of 38 percent of global production. "The Japanese automotive industry ranks fourth in the world for factory automation - the robot density was recently 1,531 robots per 10,000 employees in 2023. With this result, Japan is ahead of the United States and Germany, behind Slovenia, Korea, and Switzerland," explains Takayuki Ito, president of the International Federation of Robotics.

Japan's automotive industry restructures

Most automotive manufacturers are adapting to alternative drives to combustion vehicles and expanding their range of electric vehicles and fuel cell models. In addition, Japanese manufacturers are developing hydrogen-powered engines.

This wide range of offerings requires appropriate production technology: About a quarter of all industrial robots in Japan are installed annually by automotive manufacturers. The electrical and electronics industry is the only sector where even more robots are used. Their installations reached about 14,000 units in 2024. This corresponds to a decrease of 5 percent compared to the previous year.

“Robotics not only shapes modern industrial workplaces in Japan, but also contributes to the development of everyday applications for people,” says Takayuki Ito.