Japan robotaxi rules
Japan has had a legal route to driverless operation since April 2023. An amendment to the Road Traffic Act set up a permit system for what the law calls "specified automated operation," which is Level 4 driving with no one at the wheel.
Updated . By the Robotaxi Atlas desk.
How the permit system works
The amendment is Act No. 32 of 2022. Japan's National Police Agency says it "took effect in April 2023," and the agency's English-language page on automated driving is the source for the system and its start date.
Level 4 means the system drives itself within set conditions, such as a mapped area, without a person ready to take over.
Tokyo plans
In Tokyo, Waymo has driven autonomously with Nihon Kotsu crew supervising. It said on Sep 14, 2026 that it intends to serve its first fully autonomous public rides there in 2027 with Nihon Kotsu and GO, booked through the GO and Waymo apps and subject to approvals. Until then, Waymo is testing in the city.
On Mar 11, 2026, Wayve, Uber and Nissan announced a Tokyo pilot using Wayve-powered Nissan cars on the Uber network. It is targeted for late 2026 with a trained safety operator and has not started.
What it means for visitors
No robotaxi in Tokyo carries public riders yet. The first public service will need a Level 4 permit under this system.
Cities affected
- Tokyo Testing
Questions people ask
Are driverless cars legal in Japan?
Driverless cars are legal in Japan with a permit. The amended Road Traffic Act created a permit system for driverless Level 4 operation that took effect in April 2023.
When will Waymo launch in Tokyo?
Waymo said on Sep 14, 2026 that it intends to serve its first fully autonomous public rides in Tokyo in 2027, with Nihon Kotsu and GO, subject to approvals.
Can you ride a robotaxi in Tokyo today?
Tokyo has no public robotaxi rides yet. Waymo is testing there with supervising crew, and the Wayve and Nissan pilot on Uber is targeted for late 2026.