Japan has taken significant steps toward implementing autonomous vehicle technology in real-world settings, with two major developments announced in mid-December 2025 that signal the country's shift from testing to practical deployment of self-driving vehicles. According to NHK, Haneda and Narita airports began operating Japan's first fully autonomous container-towing vehicles on December 15, 2025. These driverless tractors transport cargo containers across airport grounds without human operators, marking a historic milestone in the country's aviation infrastructure. The implementation addresses a critical labor shortage in ground handling operations that has affected airport efficiency nationwide. The autonomous container tractors operate within the restricted areas of both airports, navigating predetermined routes while transporting luggage and cargo containers between aircraft and terminal facilities. This controlled environment provides an ideal testing ground for autonomous technology while delivering immediate practical benefits to airport operations. For expats traveling through Haneda or Narita, these vehicles represent behind-the-scenes changes that may improve baggage handling efficiency and reduce flight delays caused by ground operation bottlenecks. Simultaneously, Nissan Motor Company launched practical trials of autonomous vehicles for public transportation on December 14, 2025, according to NHK reports. The automaker began operating actual passengers on city streets as part of demonstration experiments, with plans to commercialize autonomous public transportation services by fiscal year 2027. This initiative directly responds to anticipated driver shortages in Japan's bus and taxi industries, which face demographic challenges as the population ages and fewer young people enter transportation professions. Nissan's autonomous vehicles are conducting trials in real urban environments, navigating regular traffic conditions alongside conventional vehicles. The experiments allow engineers to refine the technology while gathering data on passenger experience and safety performance. Unlike the airport tractors operating in controlled spaces, these vehicles must handle complex urban scenarios including pedestrian crossings, traffic signals, and unpredictable driver behavior from surrounding vehicles. For foreign residents in Japan, these developments carry several implications. The autonomous public transportation services planned for 2027 could provide more reliable transit options in areas currently underserved by traditional bus routes, particularly in suburban and rural communities where driver recruitment has become increasingly difficult. Expats living outside major metropolitan centers may benefit most from expanded service coverage enabled by autonomous vehicles. The technology could also address concerns about late-night transportation availability. Current bus and taxi services often reduce operations during off-peak hours due to labor costs, but autonomous vehicles could maintain more consistent schedules. This would particularly benefit shift workers and those in industries requiring irregular hours. Language barriers that sometimes complicate interactions with taxi and bus drivers may also diminish as autonomous vehicles typically feature multilingual digital interfaces. Passengers can select destinations and receive information through touchscreen systems available in English and other languages, potentially making public transportation more accessible to non-Japanese speakers. Japan's regulatory environment has evolved to accommodate these innovations, with the government establishing frameworks for autonomous vehicle operation. The country joins other nations including the United States, China, and several European countries in moving beyond experimental phases toward commercial deployment. While full implementation remains years away, these December 2025 launches represent tangible progress. The airport applications demonstrate autonomous technology's reliability in commercial operations, while Nissan's urban trials address the more complex challenge of passenger transportation in mixed-traffic environments. Together, these initiatives position Japan as a significant player in the global autonomous vehicle industry while addressing domestic labor market challenges. Expats should monitor local announcements about autonomous transportation services in their communities, as implementation timelines will vary by region. The technology promises to reshape Japan's transportation landscape significantly by the end of the decade.