The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) officially announced new fuel efficiency labels for passenger vehicles on July 4. Vehicles measured for fuel efficiency under the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC), an international standard for testing emissions and fuel efficiency, will now...
Japanese government
WP29 to Work on International Safety Standards for Hands-Free Driving
The U.N.’s World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP29) will begin developing safety standards this autumn for autonomous driving starting at Level 3, which covers conditional automation. Having taken the initiative in deliberations at WP29, Japan will also take the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and cybersecurity measures into consideration as the country seeks...
METI, MLIT Get Ready to Hammer out New Fuel Economy Regulations
The Japanese government has announced that it will begin formulating new fuel economy regulations for passenger vehicles. The regulations will be put together over the span of a year by a joint council between the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Discussions are scheduled...
Japanese Government Finalizes Public–Private ITS Initiative/Roadmaps 2017
The Japanese government recently concluded deliberations to create Public–Private ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) Initiatives/Roadmaps 2017. The government revised its definition of autonomous driving, specifying forecasts and implementation time frames for the three areas of private vehicles, logistics and transportation in rural areas. The plan incorporates policies to formulate data necessary for implementation while outlining institutional...
Japanese Government Compiles Policy Proposals for Autonomous Driving System Development
The Japanese government has compiled basic policy proposals for guidelines on autonomous driving system development. In order to become the first country in the world to implement unmanned driving, the Japanese government will not obstruct technological innovation and will flexibly manage safety inspections. In addition, it will advance the rapid provision of aid to victims...
Japanese Government Launches Project to Produce Hydrogen From Surplus Renewable Electricity
The Japanese government has launched a large-scale project for hydrogen production, storage and supply. The first of its kind in Japan, the project will store surplus electricity from solar and wind power sources in the form of hydrogen and use that hydrogen as electricity when demand rises. It will also supply liquefied hydrogen to fuel...
Targeting Fraudulent Fuel Efficiency Tests, Government Revises Road Transport Vehicle Act
The Japanese government reached cabinet approval on March 3 for the submission of proposed revisions to the Road Transport Vehicle Act. The cabinet intends to pass the bill before the end of the current Diet session. If passed, the revisions would allow the government to revoke any vehicle type designations received using falsified test results or other...
MLIT Mulls Mandatory Insurance in the Self-Driving Age, Studies Other Countries
Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) recently set up a panel to consider approaches to automobile liability in the use of self-driving vehicles. The body highlighted trends in systemic reforms by leading countries, including Germany and the U.K. No country has yet gone beyond clarifying liability for Level 3 vehicles, in which...
Japan Looks to Have Self-Driving Consumer Vehicles on Freeways by 2025
The Japanese government has solidified plans to popularize self-driving technology for consumer use. Current traffic laws will be revised by 2020, and fully automated driving on freeways will be allowed by 2025. Additionally, as the number of elderly drivers is expected to increase, the government is encouraging the development and popularization of cars with advanced...
Japan Aims to Get Driver-less Trucks on the Road by 2020: Government
The Japanese government has put together a partial action plan for self-driving technology and looks to create a broad outline for overhauling the systems involved sometime during fiscal 2018. Clearly positioning this as a national project, the government is scrambling to bring into practical use convoys and mobility services for regional areas. At the same...
