Apart from making up for a shrinking labor force and the need to reduce workloads for drivers, the system also will help cut carbon emissions, she said.
The plan in Switzerland involves an underground pathway, while the one being planned in London will be a fully automated system running on low-cost linear motors.
Japan's shortage of truck drivers is worsening due to laws that took effect earlier this year that limit the amount of overtime drivers can log.
The domestic transport capacity stands at about 4.3 billion metric tons, almost all, or more than 91%, by trucks, according to the Japan Trucking Association.
As is true in most places, truck drivers have tough jobs requiring them to be on the road for days at a time, work that most jobseekers find unappealing.
Persons:
Stanislav Kogiku, it's, Yuri Endo, Endo
Organizations:
Getty, Japan, Ministry of Land, Transport, Japan Trucking Association, Trucking Association
Locations:
Shinjuku , Tokyo, Tokyo, Osaka, Infrastructure, Tourism, Japan, Switzerland, Great Britain, London, U.S, United States