#Japan #Tokyo #Autonomous Driving #Waymo #Smart Mobility

Seminar on Autonomous Driving and Smart Mobility 2026

The upcoming seminar titled "The Cutting Edge of Autonomous Driving and Smart Mobility 2026" will be held on September 28 and 29, 2026, bringing together experts from Japan’s digital agency, cabinet office, ministry of internal affairs, ministry of land, NTT, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. This event aims to showcase advancements in smart mobility and autonomous driving, reflecting the ongoing transition in Japan’s transportation landscape.

Seminar Details

• - Dates:

- Day 1: September 28, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:50 PM
- Day 2: September 29, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 5:50 PM

• - Location: Kioi Forum, 4-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
• - Participation options:

- In-person attendance at the venue
- Live streaming via Zoom webinar
- Archived viewing available for two weeks after the event

Keynote Speakers

Day 1

1. Masaki Yahata (Cabinet Office) - Discusses the Smart Mobility Platform and Japan's transitioning transportation system.
2. Yudai Matsuo (Ministry of Internal Affairs) - Exploration of communication infrastructure supporting autonomous driving.
3. Minako Tsumenaga (NTT) - Insights into NTT’s approach to creating a smart mobility society.
4. Mitsuhiro Shida (Toyota) - Presentation on Toyota's initiatives towards zero traffic accidents.

Day 2

1. Setsu Muto (Digital Agency) - Overview of the Mobility Roadmap for 2026.
2. Akihiro Watanabe (Ministry of Land) - Discussion on addressing transportation gaps in local communities.
3. Yoshirou Takamatsu (Nissan) - Update on Nissan’s practical mobility service developments.
4. Tomoki Inoue (Honda) - Challenges towards societal implementation of automated driving.
5. Mika Yamamoto (Waymo) - Insights into Waymo’s advances in fully automated autonomous driving services.

Focus Topics

Day 1 Highlights

• - The seminar will commence with discussions surrounding the SIP Third Phase focused on building a Smart Mobility Platform, detailing the societal reform needed as Japan faces population decline and an aging demographic.
• - Experts will also present views on how to leverage communication technology for Autonomous Vehicles (V2X).
• - The day promises insights into autonomous driving as not just technology advancement but a crucial societal transformation through reliable communication and AI integration.
• - Finally, Toyota’s commitment towards ensuring safety in autonomous driving will be elaborated, showcasing both their technology enhancements and future visions.

Day 2 Highlights

• - The second day will introduce the "Mobility Roadmap 2026," setting forth strategies to drive the implementation of autonomous driving throughout Japan.
• - The challenges faced by local transportation systems, particularly in areas with declining services, will also be addressed, revealing innovative solutions.
• - Nissan will outline their approach to both human-operated and automated mobility solutions, while Waymo’s insights will delve into the scaling of fully autonomous services in real-world environments.

Conclusion

The seminar offers a platform to engage with high-level experts in the field of transportation technology, presenting an opportunity to understand the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the evolving world of smart mobility. Participants will benefit not only from these presentations but also from networking opportunities with industry leaders and decision-makers.