Uber Japan has signed an operational partnership agreement with Tokyo taxi operator Hinomaru Kotsu Co., Ltd. to manage day-to-day fleet operations for an autonomous vehicle pilot deployment scheduled to launch in late 2026. Hinomaru Kotsu will oversee depot operations, vehicle cleaning, maintenance, inspections, charging, and vehicle uptime, while Uber makes the rides available to customers through its ride-hailing app. The arrangement puts an operator behind the memorandum of understanding signed on March 12, 2026 by Uber Technologies, Wayve, and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., which set out the deployment of the Nissan LEAF equipped with Wayve’s AI Driver technology.
Highlights
- Hinomaru Kotsu will manage day-to-day fleet operations for Uber’s autonomous vehicle pilot deployment in Tokyo, scheduled to launch in late 2026.
- The operator’s scope covers depot operations, vehicle cleaning, maintenance, inspections, charging, and vehicle uptime.
- The agreement builds on the three-party MOU signed March 12, 2026 by Uber Technologies, Wayve, and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
- Hinomaru Kotsu drivers will ride as safety operators during the initial phase, ahead of fully driverless operation subject to regulatory approval.
Who Handles What in the Tokyo Deployment
The agreement splits the pilot along platform and operating lines. Uber provides its matching platform and operational support tools, and lists the rides in its ride-hailing app. Hinomaru Kotsu serves as the authorized operator responsible for fleet management, taking on the depot-side work that keeps an autonomous fleet in service — cleaning, maintenance, inspections, charging, and vehicle uptime.
The vehicles are Nissan LEAF models fitted with the Wayve AI Driver. Uber says the project is intended to make robotaxi service available as an everyday transportation option for riders in Tokyo.
Why Does Japan Require a Licensed Taxi Operator?
Under Japanese law, passenger transport services must be operated by authorized taxi companies. Uber describes the initiative as designed to comply with domestic laws, regulations, and licensing requirements — which is why an operating partner, rather than Uber itself, holds responsibility for the fleet on the road.
Kazutaka Tomita, President and Representative Director of Hinomaru Kotsu, framed the arrangement as a pairing of conventional and autonomous service:
“We are deeply honored to embark on this new challenge alongside Uber and our partners toward the commercialization of robotaxis. By fully leveraging the safety management expertise and operational know-how we have cultivated over the years, we aim to build an operational framework where both human-driven taxis and robotaxis maximize their respective strengths. As we address the pressing societal challenge of driver shortages, we are committed to building a sustainable mobility service that everyone can rely on with confidence—one where people and technology complement and enhance each other.”
Safety Operators Ride Along in the Initial Phase
Uber states that safety will be the highest priority in the initial phase of the pilot rollout. Experienced Hinomaru Kotsu drivers will be on board as safety operators, monitoring behind the wheel as part of a phased introduction. Fully driverless operation is planned for a later stage and remains subject to regulatory approval.
Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber, pointed to the difficulty of the operating environment:
“We are very happy to partner with Hinomaru Kotsu—a deeply trusted operator—to bring this pilot deployment to life in Tokyo. Japan’s capital features one of the most complex driving environments in the world. Hinomaru Kotsu’s extensive operational experience and rigorous safety standards, as well as Nissan’s exceptional automotive engineering and Wayve’s advanced AI technology, are vital to the success of this project. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration between relevant ministries and our partners to responsibly deliver a safe, seamless, and futuristic transportation choice to riders in Japan.”
Building on the March Robotaxi MOU
The operational agreement follows the March 2026 memorandum of understanding, when the three companies announced plans for a Tokyo robotaxi pilot built around the Nissan LEAF and Uber’s ride-hailing network. That agreement was signed by Uber Technologies, headquartered in California and led by CEO Dara Khosrowshahi; Wayve, headquartered in London and led by CEO Alex Kendall; and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa and led by President and CEO Ivan Espinosa.
