{
  "id": 7821263,
  "title": "Does Tokyo need self-driving taxis? Waymo thinks so, plans to launch fleet soon",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/does-tokyo-need-self-driving-taxis-waymo-thinks-so-plans-to-launch",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T16:00:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SoraNews24",
    "slug": "soranews24",
    "url": "https://soranews24.com/2026/09/17/does-tokyo-need-self-driving-taxis-waymo-thinks-so-plans-to-launch-fleet-soon/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Waymo, the U.S.-based self-driving technology company, believes that Tokyo may benefit from having fully self-driving taxis on its streets. While ride-sharing services have taken off in many other parts of the world, Japan's demographics and public transportation system have led to fewer people needing to make extra money as drivers.\n\nWaymo has formed a strategic partnership with Japanese taxi operator Nihon Kotsu and the taxi-hailing app Go to test self-driving vehicles in Tokyo. They hope to launch the first fleet of unmanned, self-driving taxis in Tokyo by 2027. The companies emphasize safety as their top priority, aiming to have around 100 vehicles on the roads initially.\n\nEven if the technology proves successful, there are concerns about consumer demand for self-driving taxis in Tokyo. The city offers convenient public transportation options, and many people view taxis as a luxury. Additionally, the pickup scenarios for taxis in Tokyo are often limited to specific locations, making the convenience of self-driving cabs less appealing.\n\nDespite these challenges, the growing age of Japan's professional driver workforce could create a labor shortage in the taxi industry. Waymo and Nihon Kotsu may be preparing for this potential shortage by testing self-driving taxis now, rather than waiting for the issue to become more pressing. This strategy would help build trust and recognition for Waymo in the Japanese market.",
  "summary": "It’s hard to see why Tokyoites would prefer self-driving cabs to regular ones, but that might not be what Waymo is betting on. Japan has, by and large, passed on ride-sharing services. Though they’ve flourished in many other parts of the world, Japan’s demographics and public transportation infrastructure is such that owning your own car […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}