The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department will establish a new unit in April 2027 to handle permits and accident investigations for autonomous vehicles. This move comes as companies like Waymo plan to launch driverless robotaxis in the city by 2027.
The establishment of a dedicated autonomous driving unit by Tokyo police signals a proactive regulatory and safety framework being put in place ahead of the commercial rollout of driverless vehicles, which could impact the operational readiness and public trust in autonomous transport services.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is set to establish a specialized unit in April 2027 to address the growing presence of autonomous vehicles. This new department will focus on streamlining the permit process for self-driving cars and developing protocols for investigating accidents involving this emerging technology. The move comes as companies like Waymo are preparing to launch fully driverless robotaxi services in Tokyo by 2027.
The unit, tentatively named the "Autonomous Driving Planning Office," will be housed within the Traffic Bureau's Traffic General Affairs Division. It aims to accumulate expertise and investigation know-how specific to autonomous vehicle incidents, potentially accepting personnel from other prefectural police forces. The department also intends to offer support for accident investigations occurring outside of Tokyo if requested by local police.
This initiative by the Tokyo police marks the first time a dedicated department for autonomous driving accidents will be established among police forces nationwide. The Japanese government is actively promoting policies to facilitate the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles, with Level 4 autonomous driving having been legalized under specific conditions in April 2023. The establishment of this unit signifies Tokyo's proactive approach to managing the safety and regulatory aspects of this advanced technology.
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