Full Breakdown
Tokyo Police to Create Dedicated Unit for Autonomous-Vehicle Accidents
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Initiative
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department announced that it will establish a new section within its traffic bureau next spring. The unit will focus on investigating accidents involving Level 4 autonomous driving, processing applications for such services, and promoting accident-prevention measures. Police officials said the goal is to build specialized expertise that can be shared with other prefectural forces as autonomous-driving trials expand nationwide.
Background and Context
In September, taxi-hailing platform Go, U.S. self-driving technology firm Waymo, and Japanese taxi operator Nihon Kotsu revealed plans to launch Japan’s first commercial driverless-taxi service in Tokyo in 2027. The service will operate under Level 4 conditions, meaning the system handles all driving tasks within defined environments. The partners intend to grow the fleet gradually to roughly 100 vehicles. The national government has set a broader target of deploying 10,000 autonomous buses, taxis and trucks across the country by fiscal 2030.
Official Statements & Responses
The department indicated that the new unit will both investigate incidents and advise on preventive strategies, aiming to support other police agencies as autonomous-driving deployments increase.
Data & Statistics
- Level 4 autonomous driving: system controls all driving functions under specified conditions.
- Planned driverless-taxi fleet: about 100 vehicles to be introduced in 2027.
- Government autonomous-vehicle target: 10,000 buses, taxis and trucks by fiscal 2030.
What’s Next
The police unit will begin operations in the spring following its creation, coinciding with the rollout of the driverless-taxi service. Authorities expect the unit to coordinate with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and with private operators to develop safety protocols as autonomous-driving services expand throughout Japan.