Tesla Full Self-Driving is likely to expand to yet another Asian country, as one country seems primed for the suite to head to it for the first time.<\/p>\n
The launch of Full Self-Driving in yet another country this year<\/a> would be a major breakthrough for Tesla as it continues to expand the driver-assistance program across the world. Bureaucratic red tape has held up a lot of its efforts, but things are looking up in some regions.<\/p>\n Tesla is poised to transform Japan\u2019s roads with Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology by 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n Richi Hashimoto, president of Tesla\u2019s Japanese subsidiary, announced the ambitious timeline, building on successful employee test drives that began in 2025 and earned positive media reviews. Test drives, initially limited to the Model 3 since August 2025, expanded to the Model Y on March 5<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once regulators approve, Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates could activate FSD across roughly 40,000 Teslas already on Japanese roads. Japan\u2019s orderly traffic and strict safety culture make it an ideal testing ground for autonomous driving.<\/p>\n Hashimoto said:<\/p>\n \u201cWe are aiming for implementation in 2026. [We are] doing everything in our power [to achieve this].\u201d<\/p>\n The push aligns with Hashimoto\u2019s leadership, which has been credited for Tesla\u2019s sales turnaround.<\/p>\n In 2025, Tesla delivered a record 10,600 vehicles in Japan \u2014 a nearly 90% jump from the prior year and the first time exceeding 10,000 units annually.<\/p>\n BREAKING \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 FSD IS LIKELY LAUNCHING IN JAPAN IN 2026 \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n Richi Hashimoto, President of Tesla\u2019s Japanese subsidiary, stated: \u201cWe are aiming for implementation in 2026\u201d and added that they are \u201cdoing everything in our power\u201d to achieve this \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n Test drives in Japan began in August\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/jkkrJLszXN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ming (@tslaming) March 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The strategy shifted from online-only sales to adding 29 physical showrooms in high-traffic malls<\/a>, plus staff training and attractive financing offers launched in January 2026. Tesla also plans to expand its Supercharger network to over 1,000 points by 2027, boosting accessibility.<\/p>\n This Japanese momentum reflects Tesla\u2019s broader international expansion. In Europe, Giga Berlin produced more than 200,000 vehicles in 2025 despite a temporary halt, supplying over 30 markets with plans for sequential production growth in 2026 and battery cell manufacturing by 2027.<\/p>\n While regional EV sales faced headwinds, the factory remains a cornerstone for Model Y deliveries across the continent.<\/p>\n In Asia, Giga Shanghai continues to be recognized as Tesla\u2019s powerhouse. China, the company\u2019s largest market, saw January 2026 deliveries from the plant rise 9 percent year-over-year to 69,129 units, with affordable new models expected later this year.<\/p>\n FSD advancements, already progressing in the U.S. and South Korea, are slated for Europe and further Asian rollout, complementing plans to expand Cybercab and Optimus to new markets as well<\/a>.<\/p>\n With OTA-enabled autonomy on the horizon and retail strategies paying dividends, Tesla is strengthening its footprint from Tokyo showrooms to Berlin assembly lines and Shanghai exports. As Hashimoto continues to push Tesla forward in Japan, the company\u2019s global vision for sustainable, self-driving mobility gains traction across Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t