Japan is planning to construct a 'conveyor belt road' for automated cargo transport between Tokyo and Osaka to address the country's delivery driver shortage and rising demand for delivery services.

The route will span 320 miles (515 km) and operate via a 24-hour unmanned transport system aimed at easing the strain on Japan's logistics sector, which is grappling with labor shortages in various industries.

Senior transport ministry official Yuri Endo emphasized the project's potential to innovate road use and cut carbon emissions.

The proposed system features containers capable of carrying up to a ton, moving along dedicated slots on the road while automated forklifts load the cargo.

Initial test runs are set for 2027 or early 2028, with full operations targeted for the following decade.

Financial projections suggest the project could cost ¥3.7 trillion (£18.6 billion) due to required tunnels.

If successful, the system might expand to other regions, though human drivers would still handle final deliveries until driverless technology becomes feasible.

The initiative is part of broader efforts in response to Japan’s '2024 problem,' a term describing the drastic impact of new overtime laws on truck driver availability.