Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Exhibition
April 13, 2026
By: Ichiri Hirakawa, Staff Editor, SEISANZAI Japan
As labor shortages intensify, automation on the factory floor has become an urgent issue. ROBOT TECHNOLOGY JAPAN (RTJ) 2026, a specialized exhibition showcasing automation solutions for production environments, is set to surpass the scale of its previous edition. The show will provide a venue for manufacturers seeking practical ideas and inspiration for automation.
Photo of the RTJ2024 venue.
ROBOT TECHNOLOGY JAPAN (RTJ) 2026, a specialized exhibition focused on automation solutions for manufacturing environments, will take place over three days — June 11–13 — at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture.
At an exhibitor briefing held on March 13, organizers announced that 272 companies and organizations will participate across 1,378 booths, surpassing both the exhibitor count and booth numbers of the previous edition. The show is on track to become the largest in its history.
RTJ is held biennially and stands as one of the largest industrial robot exhibitions in the Chubu region. The 2024 edition drew 46,405 visitors over three days.
Many manufacturers find themselves in a difficult position: orders are coming in, but there aren’t enough people to fulfill them. Labor shortages are intensifying year by year, with projections suggesting a shortfall of 6.44 million workers by 2030 and 11 million by 2040. Against this backdrop, addressing the labor shortage has shifted from a long-term goal to an immediate priority.
Robotics-based automation is one of the key solutions. RTJ 2026 will feature a broad range of automation technologies, including industrial robots, AGVs (automated guided vehicles), AMRs (autonomous mobile robots), end effectors, and peripheral equipment.
This year’s edition will also feature humanoid robots for the first time, and AI-powered solutions are expected to make a stronger showing than ever. The scope of automation proposals on display will be wider than the previous edition, making RTJ a suitable venue for manufacturers seeking solutions to their operational challenges.
While RTJ covers automation across a wide range of production environments, one of its defining strengths is the direct engagement with machine tool manufacturers and their automation proposals.
Practical examples include machine tending — where a robot positioned alongside a machine tool handles workpiece loading and unloading — as well as automated inter-process workpiece transfer. In recent years, an increasing number of machine tool manufacturers and system integrators have also been showcasing robotic machining, in which a cutting tool is mounted on a robot arm equipped with a spindle to perform material removal operations.
The high degree of freedom in robot motion enables machining of workpieces across a wide range of sizes and angles. In cases where large-format equipment such as gantry machining centers was previously required due to workpiece dimensions, robotic systems can offer a more compact footprint.
Beyond addressing labor shortages, these automation solutions also contribute to improving working conditions by delegating hazardous or physically demanding tasks — those involving harsh environments or injury risk — to robots.
RTJ also features a dedicated zone for system integrators, where visitors can explore concrete and practical applications of robotics. Whether you are taking your first steps toward automation or looking to advance an existing setup, RTJ offers an opportunity to find solutions tailored to your specific challenges on the shop floor.
RTJ 2026 Exhibitors’ List: https://robot-technology.jp/en/visitor/companyList.html
January 30, 2026
January 13, 2026
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