Japan tests humanoid robots at Tokyo Haneda Airport to tackle labour shortage crisis

On the tarmac of one of the world’s busiest airports, a small humanoid figure cautiously pushes cargo towards a conveyor belt, then pauses, not from fatigue, but because it needs recharging.

This is not a glimpse of the distant future, but a trial already under way at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, where robots are being tested as co-workers alongside human baggage handlers. The experiment reflects a deeper shift in Japan’s approach to labour, as demographic pressures and booming tourism collide.

Rather than replacing workers outright, the machines are being introduced to ease the strain in one of the most physically demanding roles in aviation.

Humanoid robots at Tokyo Haneda Airport

Japan Airlines plans to deploy humanoid robots on a trial basis starting May, with the programme running through to 2028. The initiative, developed in partnership with GMO Internet Group, is designed to support ground staff responsible for moving luggage and cargo.

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The robots, built by Chinese firm Unitree Robotics, stand about 130cm tall and are capable of handling repetitive, physically taxing tasks on the airport apron. During demonstrations, they have been seen pushing cargo into position and assisting with loading operations.

While they can operate continuously for two to three hours, their role is still limited. Critical responsibilities such as safety checks and operational oversight remain firmly in human hands.

According to Yoshiteru Suzuki, head of JAL’s ground services, the goal is not full automation but reducing the physical burden on employees. In an industry where precision and safety are paramount, the balance between human judgement and robotic assistance is being carefully maintained.

Japan tourism boom and ageing population drive airport automation push

Japan is experiencing a sharp rise in international visitors, with more than 7 million arrivals recorded in just the first two months of 2026. This follows a record-breaking 42.7 million tourists last year, placing immense pressure on infrastructure such as Haneda, which handles over 60 million passengers annually.

At the same time, the country is grappling with a shrinking and ageing workforce. Estimates suggest Japan may need over 6.5 million foreign workers by 2040 to sustain economic growth, even as political sentiment around immigration grows more cautious.

This dual challenge is forcing industries to rethink how work gets done.

Tomohiro Uchida of GMO’s AI and robotics division notes that while airports appear highly automated on the surface, much of their backend operations still depend heavily on manual labour. Baggage handling, in particular, remains labour-intensive and physically demanding.

The introduction of robots, then, is less about innovation for its own sake and more about necessity.

Looking ahead, Japan Airlines is already exploring additional roles for the machines, including aircraft cabin cleaning and other ground operations. If successful, the trial could become a blueprint for wider adoption across airports and beyond.

For now, the sight of humanoid robots working under the wings of passenger jets captures a country at a crossroads, where tradition meets technology, and where the future of work is being quietly reshaped, one task at a time.