Waymo aims to launch autonomous taxi service in tokyo by 2027

Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, announced on September 14 that its Robotaxi commercial service is set to launch in Tokyo, Japan, by 2027, pending regulatory approval from national and local authorities. The company had previously announced its plans to enter the Japanese market in December 2024 and has been collaborating with Japan Taxi and the ride-hailing platform GO since 2025 for supervised autonomous driving tests. The service is expected to enhance Tokyo's transportation network and address challenges posed by an aging population and labor shortages. Waymo plans to start with a small fleet of vehicles and gradually expand to around 100 units, covering key areas of Tokyo. The initiative is part of Waymo's broader strategy to expand its autonomous driving services globally. The company emphasized that the timeline for full deployment depends on regulatory clearances, which are critical for the successful rollout of its technology in Japan.