Waymo sets a 2027 opening for Tokyo riders with Nihon Kotsu and GO

Waymo/Waymo One

Waymo plans to open driverless rides in Tokyo in 2027 if national and local regulators approve. Taxi operator Nihon Kotsu will run the fleet and riders will be able to book through both the GO app and Waymo's app. The fleet is to grow to about 100 vehicles across key Tokyo neighbourhoods.

• Waymo cars have driven Tokyo streets since 2025, operating autonomously with trained Nihon Kotsu crew supervising, on narrow roads and in dense crowds.
• Roles: Waymo supplies the driving system, GO the booking platform and riders, Nihon Kotsu the day-to-day operations.
• The starting fleet size was not given; launch depends on regulatory approval and finishing validation.
• For scale, Waymo says it now delivers over half a million trips a week across 15 US cities.