Waymo is looking to expand its operations in Asia starting in 2027.

Waymo and the Japanese taxi company Nihon Kotsu have announced a partnership to launch Japan’s first fully autonomous commercial taxi service in Tokyo by 2027.

The companies plan to commence operations with a limited fleet and expand to approximately 100 vehicles across selected Tokyo neighborhoods. The timeline is contingent upon regulatory approvals and the ongoing validation of Waymo’s technology and operational model.

In a joint statement, both companies announced that upon securing regulatory approvals and validation of the service, it will commence operations without drivers and become accessible via both the GO and Waymo applications.

Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana ‌told ⁠reporters at a joint press conference in Tokyo:

"From day one, this will ​be an unmanned service for the public,"

"We'll grow our fleet responsibly over time, steadily operating until anyone in Tokyo can download an app and take ​a ride."

Waymo began data collection in Tokyo in 2025, utilizing human-operated Jaguar I-PACE vehicles, signifying its inaugural public-road operations beyond the United States. This announcement represents Waymo’s latest endeavors to establish a presence in the Japanese market.

Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has been collaborating with British startup Wayve and Uber Technologies to introduce autonomous vehicles and robotaxis to Japan.