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Waymo launches Japan's first driverless taxi service in Tokyo, 2027
Waymo, Go Inc., and Nihon Kotsu announced plans to launch Japan's first fully autonomous taxi service in Tokyo in 2027, operating through the GO and Waymo apps. The partnership will gradually expand to approximately 100 driverless vehicles after regulatory approval, addressing labor shortages and complementing Tokyo's transportation network.
Quick Facts
- Official agreement to launch Japan's first fully driverless taxi service
- Test runs on public roads across seven Tokyo wards since 2025
- Planned gradual expansion to approximately 100 autonomous vehicles
- On-demand, 24/7 autonomous taxi service via GO and Waymo apps
- Regulatory approval process underway
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Waymo, Go Inc., and Nihon Kotsu have officially agreed to launch Japan's first fully autonomous taxi service in Tokyo in 2027. The three companies announced the partnership on September 15, 2026, marking Waymo's expansion into Asia and Japan's entry into commercial driverless ride-hailing.
Since Waymo's arrival in Tokyo in 2025, the partners have conducted test runs on public roads across seven Tokyo wards, adapting Waymo's autonomous driving technology to local conditions including narrow roads and dense crowds. The vehicles have been supervised by trained Nihon Kotsu crew members during this testing phase. The service will launch through both the GO and Waymo mobile apps, offering on-demand, 24/7 rides accessible after late-night hours when subways close.
The companies plan to begin with a small fleet and gradually expand to approximately 100 autonomous vehicles. Go Inc. will operate the taxi-hailing app platform, Waymo will provide its self-driving technology, and Nihon Kotsu—a taxi operator with nearly 100 years of history in Tokyo—will oversee operations management and local service standards. According to Waymo, the service is designed to address Japan's aging population and anticipated driver shortages, while complementing Tokyo's existing transportation network.
The launch timeline depends on securing regulatory approval from national and local Japanese authorities and completing validation of Waymo's technology and joint operations. Waymo currently operates fully autonomous services across 15 major U.S. cities, serving over half a million trips per week. The company states its technology has been demonstrated to be over 15 times safer than human drivers.
This expansion occurs as other companies pursue autonomous taxi projects in Japan. Nissan Motor and Uber Technologies announced earlier in 2026 that they would cooperate on a robotaxi project with trial operations in Tokyo planned for the latter half of the year. Japan has already deployed buses and other vehicles with conditional automated driving on fixed routes, but a fully driverless, app-hailed taxi service in urban areas would represent a major milestone in the country's adoption of autonomous mobility.
Why This Matters
Waymo's entry into Japan's ride-hailing market marks the first commercial deployment of a fully driverless taxi service in Japan, contingent on regulatory approval. The service addresses documented labor shortages in Tokyo's taxi sector and extends 24/7 mobility during hours when public transit (subways) closes. Fleet expansion to ~100 vehicles will directly affect taxi operations and transportation market dynamics in seven Tokyo wards where testing has occurred. Competitor launches (Nissan-Uber robotaxi trials later in 2026) signal escalating autonomous mobility investment in Japan's transport infrastructure.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 2025
WireWaymo arrives in Tokyo; test runs on public roads begin across seven Tokyo wards with supervision by trained Nihon Kotsu crew
Sep 15, 2026
WireThree companies officially agree to prepare for commercial launch of unmanned Tokyo ride-hailing service
Jan 1, 2027
WirePlanned commercial launch of Waymo-Go-Nihon Kotsu fully autonomous taxi service in Tokyo, contingent on regulatory approval
Related Signals
Sources
- Waymo to Start Tokyo Robotaxi Service Next Year in Asia PushBloomberg.comWireSep 15, 2026
- Opening our doors to Tokyo riders in 2027 with Nihon Kotsu and GOWaymoMediaSep 15, 2026
- Waymo Readying to Launch Robotaxis in JapanCleanTechnicaMediaSep 15, 2026
- Japan's 1st driverless taxi service eyed in Tokyo in 2027kyodoMediaSep 15, 2026