Japan set to test fully driverless public buses next year

Japan plans to begin testing fully autonomous buses for public transportation from fiscal 2027, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The pilot program will feature buses equipped with remote monitoring systems capable of overseeing both vehicle operations and passenger assistance.

The vehicles are designed to meet Level 4 autonomous driving standards, enabling them to operate without a human driver under specific conditions, The Japan News reported.

Autonomous driving technology is classified into six levels, from Level 0, which involves no driving automation, to Level 5, where vehicles can operate entirely without human intervention under all conditions. Level 4 allows vehicles to perform all driving tasks within designated operational areas or conditions.

The industry ministry is inviting bus operators, commercial vehicle manufacturers and developers of remote monitoring systems to participate in the demonstration project, with applications open until July 29.

Passengers enjoy the viewing of Tokyo Station building from an open-top sightseeing bus, operated by Hato Bus Co. in the Tokyo area, in Tokyo, Japan, March 22, 2021. Photo by Reuters

While Japan has already conducted several Level 4 autonomous driving trials, they have largely involved small shuttle vehicles or larger buses with a safety driver on board, according to reports by Reuters and Japan Times.

The new project aims to pave the way for fully driverless public bus services by developing systems that can handle not only vehicle control but also passenger-related functions such as automatically opening and closing doors, displaying destination information and providing remote customer assistance.

Separately, Higashihiroshima City and JR West will begin public-road testing of a self-driving bus on Tuesday as they work toward obtaining Level 4 certification, according to CNET Japan.

The autonomous bus will operate along the entire 12-kilometer route linking JR Saijo Station and Hiroshima University's Higashihiroshima Campus. The trial will run daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through early February 2027, with public test rides planned for late January to early February 2027.

The partners aim to secure Level 4 certification for the full route by the end of fiscal 2027 and assess the feasibility of introducing autonomous buses into regular passenger service.