Waymo is set to launch a fully autonomous robotaxi service in Tokyo in 2027, marking the company’s first commercial expansion into Asia and potentially Japan’s first driverless taxi service on public roads.
The US autonomous driving company will partner with Japanese taxi operators GO and Nihon Kotsu to introduce the service, initially deploying a small fleet before gradually expanding to around 100 autonomous vehicles. The launch remains subject to regulatory approvals and further safety validation.
The planned service would be Japan’s first fully driverless taxi operation on public roads. Passengers will be able to book rides through both the GO and Waymo apps.
Under the partnership, Nihon Kotsu will be responsible for fleet operations, while GO will support integration with Japan’s taxi industry. Waymo will provide its autonomous driving system and continue safety testing ahead of the planned commercial rollout.
Waymo has been testing its technology in Tokyo since 2025, initially operating vehicles with Nihon Kotsu drivers behind the wheel. The trials have allowed the company to collect mapping data and adapt its autonomous driving system to the Japanese capital’s road conditions, including narrow streets, dense traffic and left-hand driving.
The company said the robotaxis would “complement Tokyo’s world-renowned transportation network, while helping Japan support an aging population and address future labor shortages.”
Japan’s ageing population and shortage of professional drivers have increased interest in autonomous transport technology. However, regulatory hurdles remain. Current rules require a human driver to be present in vehicles operating on public roads, meaning Waymo will need to secure the necessary permits and licences before beginning fully autonomous commercial operations.
The Tokyo launch forms part of Waymo’s wider international expansion after rapidly growing its robotaxi operations in the United States. The company is also preparing autonomous services in European markets, including a planned launch in Munich in late 2027.
Competition in Japan’s autonomous driving market is intensifying. US self-driving technology company Nuro has begun testing vehicles in Tokyo after partnering with Uber and Lucid. Nissan is also preparing a commercial robotaxi project in Tokyo for 2027, backed by British AI startup Wayve and Uber, although initial public trials will continue to use trained safety drivers.
If the necessary approvals are secured, the 2027 rollout will take Waymo into one of the world’s largest and most complex urban transport markets, extending its robotaxi ambitions beyond North America and into Asia for the first time.
