Waymo will begin testing in Tokyo, its first international destination

alphabetThe Waymo-owned company announced Monday that it will begin testing its self-driving vehicles in Tokyo in early 2025, the company’s first step toward international expansion.

Waymo has not committed to starting commercial service in Tokyo yet, but the robotaxi developer will team up with Japan’s largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu, and taxi app GO to begin testing Jaguar I-PACE cars on the streets of Tokyo.

To start, Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually operate Waymo vehicles to map key areas of the Japanese capital, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chuo, Shinagawa and Koto.

Data from manned driving tests will help train the company’s artificial intelligence systems. Waymo will also test its robotaxi on a closed track in the United States designed to mimic driving conditions in Japan.

This is the first phase of the partnerships, which will last several quarters, Waymo told CNBC, adding that it expects to remain in Japan for an extended period.

“Our upcoming road trip to Tokyo gives us the opportunity to work alongside local partners, government officials and community groups to understand the new landscape,” Waymo said in a statement. “We will learn how Waymo can serve Tokyo residents and become a useful part of the city’s transportation ecosystem.”

Nihon Kotsu will oversee the management and service of Waymo vehicles in Japan, the companies said.

Waymo announced a series of expansions across the United States in 2024. Earlier this month, the company announced New tests in Miami In 2025, it introduced driverless transportation Available throughout Los Angeles In November and September, it announced planned expansions into Austin and Atlanta Partnership with Uber.

The move to Japan marks the company’s first foray into the left-hand traffic market.

Both the Japanese national government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government see self-driving technology as a potential boon for the country’s elderly, according to research by the Foundation. World Economic Forum.

Tokyo has designated certain areas as “test zones” for self-driving cars in hopes of accelerating the arrival of safe driverless transportation systems there.

Several developers are working on autonomous vehicles in Japan, including local startup Tier IV and ZMP, a robotics company testing delivery vehicles and buses in Tokyo. Monet Technologies, part-owned by ToyotaAnnounce Plan the test Self-driving taxi service in Tokyo’s Odaiba area earlier this year.

Waymo’s expansion announcement in Japan comes a week later GM He announced that he was Abandoning the Cruise robotaxi section. Honda, an outside investor in Cruze, told CNBC that it aims to launch a driverless transportation service in Japan in early 2026 but will reevaluate those plans and make adjustments if necessary.

Before GM pulled out of robotaxis, Cruise was one of Waymo’s primary domestic competitors.

He watches: GM pulls the plug on robotaxi plan