Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, will begin testing its self-driving cars on the streets of Tokyo, Japan, in early 2025.
This marks the company’s first step toward international expansion.
While Waymo has not committed to launching commercial robotaxi services in Japan, it has established key partnerships with Nihon Kotsu, Japan’s largest taxi operator, and GO, a prominent taxi-hailing app. These collaborations aim to support testing and data collection, which will be essential for adapting Waymo’s technology to Tokyo’s unique traffic conditions.
Initially, Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually operate Waymo’s Jaguar I-PACE vehicles across key areas of Tokyo, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō. The purpose of these manual test drives is to collect mapping data and train Waymo’s AI systems on the nuances of driving in Tokyo, which includes navigating left-hand traffic and dense urban streets.
Waymo will also run additional tests on a closed course in the US designed to simulate driving conditions in Japan. The company has said this phase of testing and data collection will last for several quarters.
“Our upcoming road trip to Tokyo gives us the chance to work alongside local partners, government officials, and community groups to understand the new landscape,” Waymo said in a statement. “We’ll learn how Waymo can serve Tokyo’s residents and become a beneficial part of the city’s transportation ecosystem.”
Nihon Kotsu will be responsible for managing and servicing Waymo’s fleet of vehicles in Japan, ensuring that the vehicles remain operational and well-maintained. Waymo’s collaboration with GO, a widely used taxi app, suggests the potential for future ride-hailing integration, though no official announcements have been made about commercial operations.
“We have no plans to serve riders in Tokyo at this time,” said Waymo spokesperson Sandy Karp. “Rather, we’re bringing our technology to learn and understand how Waymo fits into the existing transportation landscape and learning how to best partner with local officials and communities.”
The move into Japan positions Waymo as one of the few US-based robotaxi companies with a presence in an international market. This expansion comes at a time when other companies in the autonomous vehicle industry, such as General Motors, are scaling back their robotaxi ambitions. GM recently announced it would end its support for Cruise, its autonomous vehicle division, and refocus on driver-assist technology and personal autonomous vehicles.
Waymo, however, continues to expand. In addition to its Tokyo plans, the company announced new testing operations in Miami set to begin in 2025. Waymo also recently made its driverless ride-hail service available in Los Angeles and revealed plans for launches in Austin and Atlanta through a partnership with Uber.
Japan’s aging population has made driverless transportation an appealing option for both the national government and Tokyo Metropolitan authorities. Autonomous vehicles are seen as a solution to help elderly citizens maintain mobility. Tokyo has designated certain areas as “test zones” for self-driving vehicles, encouraging companies to trial their technologies in the city.
Waymo joins a competitive landscape that includes local startups such as Tier IV and ZMP, which are developing delivery robots and autonomous buses. Monet Technologies, which is partly owned by Toyota, also announced plans to trial a self-driving taxi service in Tokyo’s Odaiba district earlier this year.
While Waymo has not committed to launching a full commercial service in Japan, its presence signals the company’s interest in becoming a key player in Tokyo’s transportation network. The success of the test program will likely shape future decisions on commercial service.
