Waymo Robotaxis Moving Forward in Japan with Partners

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Last Updated on: 16th April 2025, 01:22 am

Waymo’s story of growth continues, most recently with partnership progress in Japan and Atlanta.

In Japan, Waymo’s partnership with taxi company Nihon Kotsu and taxi platform GO is nudging forward and getting ready for launch. “Cherry blossom season marks new beginnings in Japan, and this spring, it also signals Waymo’s arrival,” Waymo writes.

“Late last year, we announced a partnership with GO, a leading Japanese taxi platform, and Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo’s largest taxi company, to introduce Waymo’s autonomous driving technology to Japan and explore its potential benefits within the city’s transportation ecosystem. Since then, we’ve been hard at work with our partners as we prepare for Waymo’s vehicles to begin driving on Tokyo’s streets. Nihon Kotsu established a new depot to accommodate Waymo vehicles; Waymo conducted training sessions with Nihon Kotsu and GO teams, focusing on best practices for autonomous fleet operations management; and together, we have begun fostering strong community relationships through outreach to the general public, local organizations, and government agencies.”

Waymo vehicle will soon hit the roads of Tokyo. However, they won’t be driverless yet. They will be manually controlled by Nihon Kotsu drivers at this stage. The vehicles will be collecting detailed 3D data from the Tokyo wards of Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō, while also learning from the professional taxi drivers. “These maps serve as the foundation for our simulation environment, where engineers can test and refine our autonomous driving technology. With a digital simulation of downtown Tokyo, we can begin adapting Waymo’s system to local traffic patterns and unique road features for eventual autonomous operation.”

Several notable people commented on Waymo’s progress in Japan. I’ll just include three of those below.

“I took my first ride with Waymo in Phoenix a year and a half ago and was amazed that there was really no one in the driver’s seat. That was the moment I was convinced that autonomous driving technology could absolutely benefit Japan. It will help ensure mobility service in the future of Japan, with the growing aging population and labor shortage,” said Ichiro Kawanabe, Chairman of GO, Board Director of Nihon Kotsu and Chairman of the Japan Taxi Association. “I want to show my appreciation for the great efforts of Waymo’s teams who have spent more than 15 years developing this magical technology, and Yoichi Kise for allowing us to host this event at Takanawa Gateway City. This innovative site serves as a template for fulfilled living a century into the future while connecting various transportation systems. Waymo’s operations in the United States have demonstrated significant safety benefits. I hope everyone in Tokyo will offer their support as we introduce this technology. We will continue to move forward step by step.”

“Nihon Kotsu crews have trained in the U.S. and are well-prepared to begin introducing Waymo’s vehicles to Tokyo. Nihon Kotsu, as a taxi operator, is proud to leverage its operational expertise as we help drive the introduction of  autonomous driving technology in Japan by operating the vehicles. We anticipate that autonomous robotaxis will help address driver shortages in the future. We view this initiative as the first step toward building an ideal ecosystem that unites people and advanced technology,” said Yasuharu Wakabayashi, President of Nihon Kotsu.