Waymo and Tokyo Partners Target Japan’s First Driverless Taxi Service in 2027

Waymo, taxi-hailing app GO and Tokyo taxi operator Nihon Kotsu plan to launch Japan’s first fully driverless commercial taxi service in Tokyo in 2027. The companies intend to begin with a small fleet and expand to roughly 100 Level 4 vehicles, which passengers could summon through either the GO or Waymo app. The rollout depends on safety validation and approvals from national and local authorities under Japan’s transportation laws. Waymo will provide the autonomous-driving technology, operating platform and fleet-management systems; GO will coordinate the service and taxi-industry integration; and Nihon Kotsu will manage local operations, depots and customer support. The companies have been testing Waymo vehicles on Tokyo’s public roads with Nihon Kotsu drivers aboard and say the service could help address Japan’s taxi-driver shortage and population decline.