Alphabet's Waymo is partnering with Japanese taxi app operator GO and taxi company Nihon Kotsu to launch Tokyo's first fully autonomous commercial taxi service in 2027. Subject to regulatory approvals, the driverless service will start with a small fleet before expanding to 100 vehicles. The initiative aims to address Japan's severe driver shortage and population decline, marking Waymo's first commercial expansion outside the United States following initial data collection in 2025.
Waymo Tokyo robotaxi launch
- ▪The planned autonomous taxi service in Tokyo will operate entirely without drivers and be available to the general public from its first day of operation.
- ▪Alphabet's autonomous driving unit Waymo, Japanese taxi app operator GO, and taxi company Nihon Kotsu announced on September 15, 2026, plans to launch Japan's first fully autonomous commercial taxi service in Tokyo in 2027.
GO Nihon Kotsu partnership
- ▪Waymo is partnering with Japanese taxi app operator GO and taxi company Nihon Kotsu to launch and operate the autonomous taxi service in Tokyo.
- ▪Once the Tokyo autonomous taxi service is validated, customers will be able to book rides through both the GO and Waymo mobile applications.
Regulatory approval requirements
- ▪Tokyo will become the first Japanese city where Waymo launches commercial driverless rides, provided the project receives all necessary regulatory approvals.
- ▪The launch of the autonomous taxi service in Tokyo is subject to regulatory approvals and the ongoing validation of Waymo's technology and operating model.
Fleet expansion plans
- ▪The partner companies plan to start the Tokyo autonomous taxi service with a small fleet before expanding to approximately 100 vehicles across key Tokyo neighborhoods.
- ▪Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana stated that the company plans to grow its Tokyo fleet responsibly and steadily over time to eventually serve the general public.
Japan driver shortage
- ▪The partner companies stated that the autonomous taxi service in Tokyo could help address Japan's driver shortage and its broader population decline.
- ▪Japanese automaker Nissan has separately been working with British startup Wayve and Uber Technologies to develop robotaxis.
Waymo international expansion
- ▪The Tokyo project marks Waymo's latest expansion step after beginning data collection in Tokyo in 2025 using human-driven Jaguar I-PACE vehicles.
- ▪The 2025 data collection in Tokyo using human-driven Jaguar I-PACE vehicles represented Waymo's first public-road operations outside the United States.
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