NEC, Kanematsu, and A2Z Forge Agreement for Autonomous Buses and Taxis in Japan
On March 1, 2023, NEC Corporation (headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, led by President Takayuki Morita), Kanematsu Corporation (headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, led by President Katsuya Miyabe), and Autonomous A2Z Co., Ltd. (based in South Korea, headed by Ji-Hyeong Han) came together to sign a fundamental agreement aimed at realizing the practical use of autonomous buses and taxis in Japan. This agreement marks a significant step towards addressing the challenges of inadequate transportation options in local communities by ensuring safe and reliable autonomous public transport through trial operations.
In recent years, the Japanese public transportation sector has faced considerable challenges, including a decrease in ridership due to a declining population and an increasing shortage of drivers. Amid these challenges, the integration of autonomous driving technology into mobility solutions has garnered attention as a viable approach to enhancing transportation accessibility in various regions.
The collaboration among the three companies represents a pioneering effort in public transportation in Japan. A2Z's autonomous driving system, recognized as the seventh-best in the 2025 Global Autonomous Driving Technology ranking by Guidehouse, will be implemented in trial operations beginning February 6, 2026, around Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture.
Kanematsu and A2Z will work on modifying vehicles and adjusting the autonomous system to comply with Japanese road conditions and regulations, including technical verification and tuning. Notably, Kanematsu and A2Z signed a memorandum in August 2025, focusing on collaborating on the joint development for both Japanese and global markets. This trial is part of their ongoing efforts.
NEC brings to the table an autonomous driving service platform designed to operate autonomous vehicles safely and efficiently within Japan's mobility landscape. By integrating this platform with existing fleet management systems of transportation providers, NEC will facilitate the operation control and remote monitoring of vehicle conditions. The company aims to support the validation of the usefulness of autonomous driving technologies within current transportation operations to enable their incorporation.
Based on the insights gained from the trial, NEC, Kanematsu, and A2Z will strive to expand their transportation services in the Japanese market. While the initial demonstrations will employ Level 2 autonomous driving technology, the plan is to gradually evolve towards the introduction of Level 4 technology, paving the way for societal implementation. Additionally, they will evaluate realistic costs and operational burdens that local transportation providers can manage, aiming to build a sustainable business model while positioning autonomous driving technologies as critical components of local transport infrastructure. This initiative is particularly focused on alleviating societal issues such as driver shortages and mobility constraints in aging populations in rural areas.
In conclusion, this collaboration represents a proactive stance toward fostering sustainable next-generation transportation solutions, where advanced technology meets the needs of society.
For further information regarding this initiative, you may contact:
Background
In recent years, the Japanese public transportation sector has faced considerable challenges, including a decrease in ridership due to a declining population and an increasing shortage of drivers. Amid these challenges, the integration of autonomous driving technology into mobility solutions has garnered attention as a viable approach to enhancing transportation accessibility in various regions.
The collaboration among the three companies represents a pioneering effort in public transportation in Japan. A2Z's autonomous driving system, recognized as the seventh-best in the 2025 Global Autonomous Driving Technology ranking by Guidehouse, will be implemented in trial operations beginning February 6, 2026, around Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture.
Roles of Each Company in the Initiative
Kanematsu and A2Z will work on modifying vehicles and adjusting the autonomous system to comply with Japanese road conditions and regulations, including technical verification and tuning. Notably, Kanematsu and A2Z signed a memorandum in August 2025, focusing on collaborating on the joint development for both Japanese and global markets. This trial is part of their ongoing efforts.
NEC brings to the table an autonomous driving service platform designed to operate autonomous vehicles safely and efficiently within Japan's mobility landscape. By integrating this platform with existing fleet management systems of transportation providers, NEC will facilitate the operation control and remote monitoring of vehicle conditions. The company aims to support the validation of the usefulness of autonomous driving technologies within current transportation operations to enable their incorporation.
Future Directions
Based on the insights gained from the trial, NEC, Kanematsu, and A2Z will strive to expand their transportation services in the Japanese market. While the initial demonstrations will employ Level 2 autonomous driving technology, the plan is to gradually evolve towards the introduction of Level 4 technology, paving the way for societal implementation. Additionally, they will evaluate realistic costs and operational burdens that local transportation providers can manage, aiming to build a sustainable business model while positioning autonomous driving technologies as critical components of local transport infrastructure. This initiative is particularly focused on alleviating societal issues such as driver shortages and mobility constraints in aging populations in rural areas.
In conclusion, this collaboration represents a proactive stance toward fostering sustainable next-generation transportation solutions, where advanced technology meets the needs of society.
Inquiries
For further information regarding this initiative, you may contact:
- - NEC Mobility Solutions Group, SDV Services: E-Mail: [email protected]
- - Kanematsu Vehicle and Parts Division: E-Mail: [email protected]
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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