Waymo is planning to start a driverless taxi service in Tokyo in 2027, taking its autonomous vehicle business into an international market for the first time.
The Alphabet-owned company is working with Japanese taxi operator Nihon Kotsu and mobility platform GO to prepare for the launch.
The service is expected to start with a small number of vehicles and expand over time.
People in Tokyo will be able to book the autonomous taxis through the GO app as well as Waymo’s platform. The launch will depend on regulatory approvals and the results of testing in the city.
Key Highlights Waymo targets 2027 launch for driverless taxi service in Tokyo Waymo partners with Nihon Kotsu and GO to bring robotaxis to Tokyo Tokyo robotaxi service could start with 100 Waymo vehicles in 2027Waymo Steps Up Testing Across Tokyo
Waymo has been working with its Japanese partners to understand how its vehicles perform on Tokyo’s busy roads. The company began testing in the city in 2025, with Nihon Kotsu staff initially accompanying the vehicles during road trials.
The testing has covered seven wards in Tokyo, including Shinjuku, Shibuya, Minato and Chiyoda. These areas have given Waymo a chance to test its vehicles in different conditions, from narrow roads and busy intersections to heavy traffic and areas with large numbers of pedestrians.
Working with local companies is an important part of Waymo’s plans. Nihon Kotsu brings decades of experience in running taxi services and managing fleets in Japan. GO, meanwhile, operates a major mobility platform that connects passengers with transportation services.
Waymo will provide the technology behind the autonomous vehicles, while its Japanese partners will help with local operations and customer services. The companies believe this combination will make it easier to introduce robotaxi services in Japan and adjust the service to local needs.
The initial plan is to operate about 100 vehicles across selected parts of the city. The fleet could grow as the companies gain more experience and demand for the service increases.
Driver Shortage Adds Momentum to Robotaxis
Waymo’s plans come at a time when Japan is dealing with a shortage of taxi and commercial drivers. The country’s ageing population and changing workforce have made it increasingly difficult for transportation companies to find enough drivers.
Autonomous taxis in Tokyo could help fill some of those gaps by providing another option for people who need point-to-point transportation. They could also be useful for shorter journeys that connect passengers with Tokyo’s extensive rail and subway network.
For Waymo, the Tokyo project is also an important test of how its Waymo autonomous driving technology performs outside the US. The company has already launched commercial driverless ride services in several American cities and has completed millions of autonomous trips.
Tokyo, however, presents a very different driving environment. Its crowded streets, large pedestrian population, narrow roads and complex traffic patterns will require Waymo’s vehicles to deal with situations that may be less common in American cities.
The planned 2027 launch is not yet guaranteed. Waymo and its partners will need to receive the necessary approvals from Japanese authorities and demonstrate that the vehicles can operate safely without a human driver.
If the service goes ahead, Tokyo will become a major milestone for Waymo as it expands internationally. It could also give Japan’s growing robotaxi market a boost, as other companies look for ways to bring autonomous vehicles into the country’s transportation system.
For Tokyo residents, the arrival of driverless cars could eventually mean another convenient way to get around the city. For Waymo, the bigger challenge will be showing that a service developed in the US can work just as safely and reliably on one of the world’s busiest urban roads.
Also Read: Grab to Buy 60% of Atome Financial in $1.49 Billion Deal
The expansion could also strengthen the wider autonomous driving market in Japan and encourage more investment in self-driving technology. With the 2027 target approaching, Waymo and its partners will now focus on testing, regulatory requirements and preparing the service for everyday passengers.