Waymo and Japanese Partners Target 2027 Launch for Driverless Taxis in Tokyo

Alphabet's autonomous driving unit Waymo is partnering with Japanese taxi app operator GO and taxi company Nihon Kotsu to launch Japan’s first fully autonomous commercial taxi service in Tokyo, with a target launch date of 2027. The collaboration, announced in a joint statement, marks a significant international expansion for the U.S.-based technology firm.

Rollout and Operational Plan

The companies plan a phased rollout, beginning with a small fleet and gradually expanding to approximately 100 vehicles across key neighborhoods in Tokyo. The service is contingent upon securing regulatory approvals and the continued validation of Waymo's autonomous driving technology and operational model in the city's complex environment.

Once launched, the service will be fully unmanned from its inception. "From day one, this will be an unmanned service for the public," Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said at a press conference in Tokyo. Rides will be available for booking through both the GO and Waymo mobile applications.

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Market Context and Strategic Significance

This initiative builds on Waymo's previous activities in Japan, which began in 2025 with data collection on Tokyo's public roads using human-driven Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. That marked Waymo's first operational presence outside the United States.

The partners stated the autonomous service could help address significant local challenges, including Japan's persistent driver shortage and broader demographic shifts from a declining population. The move also intensifies competition in the Japanese robotaxi market, where automaker Nissan has been developing a separate service with British startup Wayve and Uber Technologies.