US robotaxi firm Waymo LLC has announced that it plans to launch commercial Level 4 autonomous robotaxi services in Japan in 2027, in partnership with Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo's largest taxi company, and Go, the country's leading ride-hailing platform. Waymo currently operates robotaxi services in 15 cities in the US, with plans to expand into major cities in Asia and Europe, including London, in the next few years.
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Waymo said that since it arrived in Tokyo in 2025, the three companies have worked together “to prepare to serve riders. Over the past year, Waymo vehicles have learned the streets like a local, driving autonomously while supervised by trained Nihon Kotsu crew members—confidently navigating narrow neighborhood roads and safely maneuvering through dense crowds.”
The company said it is moving into the next phase, with the partnership actively expanding local operations and working closely with government ministries to secure the necessary permits and licenses, including the completion of ongoing safety validations.
Waymo said that with its local partners, it hopes to begin a phased rollout next year with “an initial fleet before gradually expanding to around 100 vehicles across key Tokyo neighborhoods. The company noted: “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, Tekedra Mawakana, said in a statement:“Scaling autonomous mobility requires relentless dedication to safety and execution. Today, Waymo delivers over half a million trips each week while demonstrating that it is over 15 times safer than human drivers. Expanding to Tokyo with our partners GO and Nihon Kotsu is the next chapter in that journey. By pairing our proven technology with the highest standards of local hospitality and operations, we look forward to earning the trust of Tokyo’s riders as they experience the magic of Waymo."
