A partnership between Asian e - commerce companies JD.com and Rakuten will facilitate drone deliveries in Japan . In its native China , JD has been running an unmanned delivery service for several years , including self - driving trucks , automated warehouses and unmanned stores . JD will now transfer that experience to Japan 's Rakuten , which has run its own drone delivery business since 2016 . The aim is to develop and implement a more efficient toll - free last - minute delivery system .
A collaboration between Asian e-commerce companies JD.com and Rakuten will expand drone deliveries in Japan. In its native China, JD has been running an unmanned delivery service for several years, including self-driving trucks, automated warehouses and unmanned stores. JD will now bring that experience to Japan's Rakuten, which has run its own drone delivery business since 2016. The aim is to develop and commercialise a more efficient human-free last-mile delivery network.