GO, Waymo and Nihon Kotsu Target Japan’s First Fully Driverless Taxi Service in Tokyo by 2027

September 15, 2026

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Summary

GO, Waymo and Nihon Kotsu plan to launch Japan’s first fully driverless taxi service in Tokyo in 2027. The companies aim to introduce the vehicles gradually, with a fleet of around 100 autonomous taxis. Passengers would be able to book the service through GO’s smartphone app. Waymo will provide the autonomous-driving technology, while Nihon Kotsu will manage operations. Japan already has some automated buses and transport services, but these generally follow fixed routes. An on-demand urban taxi service would be a major advance for autonomous mobility in Japan. It could benefit older residents, visitors, people with disabilities and communities facing taxi-driver shortages. Fares and the initial operating area have not yet been decided. Read the full article for the background and potential impact on Tokyo’s future transportation system.

Three-company partnership aims to bring autonomous taxis to Tokyo

Japan could take a major step toward mainstream autonomous transportation as taxi-dispatch platform GO, Alphabet-owned Waymo and major operator Nihon Kotsu announced plans to launch the country’s first fully driverless taxi service in Tokyo during 2027.

The partnership is expected to introduce autonomous taxis in stages, eventually reaching a fleet of approximately 100 vehicles. Unlike existing automated transport services in Japan, which have largely operated on fixed routes or under limited conditions, the planned service would allow members of the general public to request a driverless taxi through a smartphone application in an urban environment.

Each partner brings a different strength

Under the planned arrangement, GO will contribute its expertise in taxi-booking applications and passenger services. Waymo will provide vehicles equipped with its autonomous-driving technology, while Nihon Kotsu will be responsible for operational management and related taxi-business functions.

The companies have not yet finalized fares or released a detailed service area. Further announcements are expected as they work through regulatory requirements, vehicle deployment, safety procedures and the practical needs of passengers in Tokyo’s complex streetscape.

A potential turning point for Japan’s mobility sector

Japan has already begun introducing automated bus and other mobility services in selected locations. These services can help address transportation challenges in rural communities and areas facing driver shortages, but they generally operate along predetermined routes and under carefully defined operating conditions.

A fully driverless taxi that can be summoned on demand would represent a more flexible model. It could provide an additional transportation option for older people, travelers unfamiliar with Tokyo, passengers with disabilities and residents in areas where conventional taxi availability is limited. For overseas visitors, app-based autonomous taxis could also offer a convenient way to move around the capital without needing to communicate extensively with a driver or understand the city’s complex rail and road networks.

Tokyo’s dense traffic, narrow streets, busy intersections and varied weather conditions will make the project a significant technical and operational test. Public trust will also be essential. The companies say safety will be their top priority, and the service will need to comply with Japan’s transportation and safety regulations before commercial operations begin.

Building confidence in autonomous travel

Speaking at a news conference in Tokyo, GO Chairman Ichiro Kawanabe said a future in which anyone can use a driverless taxi as an ordinary taxi is coming to Japan. Tekedra Mawakana, co-chief executive officer of Waymo, said the partnership would take a major step forward while putting safety first.

The planned launch could also give Japan valuable experience as it considers how autonomous vehicles should be integrated into existing taxi networks, public transportation and urban planning. If the initial fleet performs successfully, the Tokyo project may serve as a model for expansion into other Japanese cities, particularly those coping with labor shortages and an aging population.

For now, the 2027 target remains a plan rather than a guaranteed nationwide rollout. Nevertheless, the cooperation among a leading Japanese mobility platform, an international autonomous-driving specialist and one of Japan’s largest taxi companies signals growing momentum. A successful service could make driverless transportation more visible, practical and familiar to people living in and visiting Japan.