Tesla is setting its sights on bringing its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology to Japan, with the company confirming it is aiming for a launch before the end of 2026. The company has been quietly testing the system on public roads in Japan since August 2025.
The announcement comes as Tesla expands its autonomous driving testing program in the country, launching customers to experience FSD from the passenger seat in Japan for the first time.
According to Tesla’s Japan leadership, the company is pushing ahead with validation efforts as it works toward regulatory approval and broader deployment.
“We aim to implement it by the end of 2026,” said Rishi Hashimoto, president of Tesla’s Japanese subsidiary, adding that the company is “doing everything we can” to make the rollout possible. (via Nikkei)
As Tesla has seen with other markets, particularly China, one of the main challenges involves adapting the system to Japan’s specific traffic laws and driving customs. For example, vehicles must often pause before crosswalks even when pedestrians are not present, a behavior the software must reliably replicate to meet local safety standards.
If regulators permit broader use of the technology, many of the roughly 40,000 Tesla vehicles already on the road in Japan could potentially receive the feature without any hardware upgrades.
Alongside expanded testing, Tesla has also begun conducting the first Full Self-Driving (Supervised) ride-alongs in Japan, just as it did in Europe last year. Early reports from these demonstrations indicate the system is handling real-world driving scenarios smoothly.
BREAKING : First Tesla FSD experience on Japanese public roads in Tokyo.
— 前田謙一郎 Ken Maeda (@Kenmaeda77) March 5, 2026
It's handling Japan's unique road environment smoothly. Now, we're just waiting for official approval from the authorities.
Big step for Japan's mobility future! Here are some clips from my camera. pic.twitter.com/LRDnR4v2I7
The push toward releasing FSD comes as Tesla gains momentum in Japan. The automaker recorded its strongest year ever in the market in 2025, delivering roughly 10,600 vehicles—about 90% more than the previous year.
At the same time, Tesla is expanding its charging infrastructure across the country. The company currently operates nearly 700 Supercharger stalls in Japan and plans to grow that network to more than 1,000 by 2027.
