Japan aims to have 10,000 Level 4 autonomous vehicles by 2030.
Japan plans to increase the number of Level 4 autonomous vehicles to 10,000 by 2030, including buses, taxis, and trucks; and to under 1,000 vehicles and 100 service locations by 2027.
According to Nikkei, Japan aims to have 10,000 Level 4 autonomous vehicles on the road by 2030, including commercial buses, taxis, and large trucks. This target is part of an updated draft national transportation plan proposed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which aims to promote the deployment of autonomous driving technology by domestic automakers.
Timeline and scope of implementation
Under its current plan, Japan aims to have 100 locations offering self-driving car services and fewer than 1,000 autonomous vehicles in operation by fiscal year 2027. According to the new proposal, this scale will increase more than tenfold by fiscal year 2030, reaching 10,000 vehicles.
The Japanese cabinet is expected to approve the basic transportation plan this year. The target of 10,000 vehicles covers various commercial vehicle categories, emphasizing the role of buses, taxis, and large trucks in the autonomous mobility ecosystem.
| Mold | Objectives/Scope |
|---|---|
| Fiscal year 2027 | Under 1,000 vehicles; 100 locations offering self-driving car services. |
| Fiscal year 2030 | 10,000 Level 4 autonomous vehicles (commercial buses, taxis, large trucks) |
| Approve | The Japanese cabinet is expected to approve the basic transportation plan this year. |
Level 4 and technology platform
Level 4 is a step on the path toward full automation at Level 5. At Level 4, the vehicle does not require a driver under specific conditions. Japan plans to deploy comprehensive, end-to-end AI-powered control systems to accelerate the automation of commercial vehicles.
The government is developing a mechanism to approve sophisticated autonomous driving systems developed by automakers. Knowledge gained from the current deployment of Level 2 autonomous vehicles – partial automation with human supervision – is expected to support the Level 4 phase. Simultaneously, technologies developed for passenger vehicles can be applied to commercial vehicles, contributing to market expansion and reduced costs for related systems and equipment.
Support and operational safety policies
According to the draft, Japan will consider providing additional subsidies to cities that deploy self-driving buses to ensure accessibility in the region. In addition, efforts to establish accident analysis procedures will be accelerated to improve the safety framework for automated operation.
Many policies supporting the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles will be enacted in line with the new objectives. Automakers are also preparing new ways to support the widespread deployment of their driver assistance systems, including end-to-end control systems that are rapidly under development.
Driven by infrastructure and human resource needs.
The accelerated adoption of self-driving vehicles is expected to benefit local transportation and logistics infrastructure, given the difficulty in finding drivers in many areas of Japan due to labor shortages. The ability of autonomous vehicles to complement public transportation and logistics is a key element of the plan.
Economic security context
The Level 4 automation target also reflects economic security concerns related to China and other countries. Accordingly, promoting the development and application of autonomous vehicles by domestic manufacturers is seen as a crucial step to strengthen technological capabilities and proactively manage the supply chain.
Conclude
The proposal to increase the number of Level 4 autonomous vehicles to 10,000 by 2030 marks a significant shift in Japan's transportation automation roadmap. The combination of clear objectives, a sophisticated approval mechanism for autonomous systems, local financial support, and a safety-focused process will form the foundation for scaling up deployment, while also giving domestic automakers an advantage in the context of global competition and economic security.
