Tesla Japan Pushes for FSD Approval by End of 2026 as Cybercab Interest Grows

Tesla is pushing to launch Full Self-Driving (FSD) (Supervised) in Japan before the end of 2026, though Tesla Japan president Richi Hashimoto notes that the timeline depends heavily on regulatory approval rather than just internal software development. In an interview with Nikkei, Hashimoto reaffirmed the target, acknowledging the difficulty of meeting the deadline. Public-road testing has been underway since August 2025, with demonstrations on Tokyo streets including the Shinjuku district. Japan is one of several international markets where Tesla is seeking regulatory clearance. While Tesla does not publish exact Japanese registration figures, data from the Japan Automobile Importers Association’s ‘Others’ category—which includes Tesla—reached 20,216 registrations from January to September 2026, up from 8,066 during the same period the previous year. Beyond customer-owned vehicles, Tesla brought its Cybercab to Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya in September. Hashimoto previously stated that a Japanese launch for the autonomous vehicle has not been finalized, but interest remains high. Deploying a driverless Cybercab would necessitate Level 4 authorization from Japan’s transport ministry and permits from public safety commissions. Securing FSD approval remains the immediate priority for the company.