Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle unit, announced plans to begin testing its self-driving cars in Tokyo in early 2025, marking its first international expansion and entry into a left-hand traffic market. This initiative is part of Waymo’s strategy to expand its footprint globally while learning from new driving environments.
Waymo will collaborate with Japan’s largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu, and the taxi app GO to prepare for the trials. Initially, Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually operate Waymo’s Jaguar I-PACE vehicles to map critical districts of Tokyo, including Shinjuku, Shibuya, Minato, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō. The data collected will be used to train Waymo’s AI systems to adapt to Tokyo’s traffic patterns.
In parallel, Waymo will conduct testing on a closed course in the U.S. designed to replicate driving conditions specific to Japan. This dual approach ensures the company can fine-tune its technology before introducing fully autonomous operations.
The partnership phase will span several quarters, with Waymo indicating a long-term commitment to understanding Tokyo’s transportation landscape. Nihon Kotsu will oversee vehicle management and servicing throughout the trial. Waymo emphasized the importance of collaborating with local partners, government officials, and community groups to integrate autonomous vehicles effectively into Tokyo’s transportation ecosystem.
Japan’s aging population and labor shortages in transportation have prompted the Japanese government and Tokyo Metropolitan government to accelerate the adoption of driverless technology. Designated test zones have been established to encourage innovation and speed up the development of autonomous transportation solutions.
Waymo’s expansion into Japan follows its recent U.S. growth announcements, including planned testing in Miami and driverless ride-hailing services across Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta.
While several domestic companies are developing autonomous technology in Japan, including Tier IV, ZMP, and Toyota-backed Monet Technologies, Waymo’s entry adds a significant international player to the competition. Monet Technologies has been testing self-driving taxi services in Tokyo’s Odaiba district, further signaling Japan’s readiness for autonomous transportation.
Waymo’s move into Tokyo comes on the heels of General Motors’ decision to shut down its Cruise robotaxi division. Honda, previously invested in Cruise, is reassessing its plan to launch driverless ride-hailing services in Japan by 2026.
With Japan embracing driverless solutions to address societal challenges, Waymo’s expansion positions it as a leader in Tokyo’s evolving autonomous vehicle market.
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