Waymo targets a fully autonomous paid taxi service in Tokyo in 2027 with GO and Nihon Kotsu, conditional on regulatory approval and validation of its technology and joint operations. It would begin with a small fleet and gradually expand to about 100 vehicles.
Waymo began driving on Tokyo public roads in 2025, initially using human-driven Jaguar I-PACE vehicles to collect data. The company says its vehicles have also driven autonomously under the supervision of trained Nihon Kotsu personnel. Riders are expected to book through either the GO or Waymo app.
Waymo says it provides more than 500,000 paid trips weekly across its U.S. operations. Nihon Kotsu President Yasuharu Wakabayashi said the Tokyo service is intended to coexist with human-driven taxis amid Japan’s aging population and anticipated driver shortages. Waymo has not disclosed Tokyo fares, revenue or profitability; Nissan is also working with Wayve and Uber on robotaxis in Japan.
