Waymo to Begin International Robotaxi Testing in Tokyo in 2025

The Alphabet-owned company will map Tokyo's streets with human drivers before transitioning to autonomous testing in its first overseas expansion.

Waymo will launch its first international robotaxi testing in Tokyo in early 2025, beginning with human-operated mapping of key districts like Shinjuku and Shibuya.
The company is partnering with Nihon Kotsu, Japan's largest taxi operator, and the GO taxi app for the initial phase of the project.
Testing will focus on adapting Waymo's autonomous technology to left-hand traffic and the dense urban environment of Tokyo, with no timeline yet for public rides.
Japan's recent legal changes allowing level 4 autonomous vehicles and its aging population are seen as factors supporting the introduction of robotaxis.
Waymo's expansion to Tokyo follows a $5.6 billion funding round and marks a strategic step after its domestic growth in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.