Full Breakdown
Waymo Targets 2027 Launch of Fully Autonomous Robotaxi Service in Tokyo
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Plan for Tokyo
Waymo LLC, the U.S. autonomous-vehicle firm, announced that it intends to begin commercial Level 4 robotaxi operations in Tokyo in 2027. The rollout will be phased, starting with a modest fleet that is expected to grow to roughly 100 vehicles serving key neighborhoods. Riders will be able to request rides through both the GO app and Waymo’s own app, pending the acquisition of national and local permits and the completion of ongoing safety validations.
Background and Market Context
Waymo currently runs robotaxi services in 15 U.S. cities and is expanding into Europe and Asia, with a planned launch in Munich later in 2027. Its entry into Japan would represent the first fully driverless taxi service on public roads in the country. Japanese authorities still require a human driver for public-road testing, so Waymo must secure the necessary licences before commercial operations can begin. The move is framed against Japan’s aging population and a shrinking pool of professional taxi drivers, factors that have spurred interest in autonomous transport solutions.
Key Partners and Planned Fleet
The Tokyo project is a three-way partnership:
- Waymo LLC – provider of the autonomous driving system and safety testing.
- Nihon Kotsu – Tokyo’s largest taxi company, responsible for fleet operations and supervising vehicles with trained crew members during testing.
- GO – Japan’s leading ride-hailing platform, handling integration with the local taxi industry and app-based bookings.
Since arriving in Tokyo in 2025, Waymo vehicles have been driven with a Nihon Kotsu driver on board to collect mapping data and adapt to narrow streets, dense traffic and left-hand driving.
Official Statements & Responses
The partnership’s public communications stress that the 2027 timeline is contingent on regulatory approval and the final validation of Waymo’s technology.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our intent is to serve our first fully autonomous trips to public riders in Tokyo in 2027. This timeline is contingent on securing regulatory approval from national and local authorities, as well as completing the ongoing validation of Waymo’s technology and our joint operations. The service will be accessible through both the GO and Waymo apps.” — Waymo’s CEO
