Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced plans to allow autonomous driving services on at least 25 public road routes by March next year, with a goal of expanding to 100 routes in the near future. Kishida also mentioned that Level 4 driverless vehicles will be tested on 10 routes after a shortened two-month screening process.
During a visit to Taki, Mie Prefecture, where he observed digital technology-based community development initiatives and rode a self-driving bus, Kishida pledged increased government subsidies for the “Digital Garden City” project involving Taki and neighboring towns.
Prior to his Taki visit, the Prime Minister stopped by Kameyama, Mie Prefecture, to oversee drilling surveys for a potential station on the Nagoya-Osaka route of the Chuo Shinkansen maglev train line. Following the inspection, Kishida confirmed the collaboration between the transport ministry, JR Tokai, and the western prefectures of Mie, Nara, and Osaka to advance the section’s construction.