Tokyo police to set up first dedicated autonomous driving unit in spring 2027
In short
Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department will set up an Autonomous Driving Planning Office (provisional name) in its Traffic General Affairs Division, Asahi Shimbun and Nikkei reported on October 9, 2026. Nikkei said the unit will open in April 2027, and both outlets said it is the first such unit for police in Japan. It will handle permits for driverless operation and investigations of accidents involving autonomous vehicles.
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Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department will set up a dedicated unit for autonomous driving, provisionally named the Autonomous Driving Planning Office (自動運転企画室), Asahi Shimbun and Nikkei reported on October 9, 2026. Nikkei said the unit will be established in April 2027, while Asahi reported that the department has decided to launch it next spring. Asahi described it as the first such unit among police forces nationwide, and Nikkei said it is the first time a prefectural police force has set up a section specialising in autonomous driving. [ 1 , 2 ]
The office will sit within the Traffic General Affairs Division (交通総務課), which Asahi reported is part of the department's Traffic Department. Asahi also reported that the department is considering upgrading the office to a division in the spring after next. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to Asahi, the office will handle permit applications related to 'Level 4' autonomous driving, in which the system performs all driving operations with no driver present under specific conditions. It will also work on accident prevention and take charge of investigations when accidents occur. Nikkei reported that the unit will put in place the system for autonomous driving operating permit procedures and examine how to conduct investigations of accidents involving autonomous vehicles. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Asahi reported that the department plans to receive staff dispatched from other prefectural police forces. It said the office will also, where necessary, send its own staff to other prefectural police forces to support investigations of accidents that occur outside Tokyo. [ 1 , 3 ]
Asahi said the move responds to rapidly accelerating technological development in autonomous driving, while Nikkei described it as preparation for the spread of autonomous driving. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
According to the reports, the unit will deal with permit applications for Level 4 driving, in which the system drives with no driver present under specific conditions, and with investigations of accidents involving such vehicles. Asahi reported it will also send staff to support other prefectural police forces with accidents outside Tokyo.
Key facts
- The Metropolitan Police Department will create an Autonomous Driving Planning Office (自動運転企画室, provisional name). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Nikkei reported the unit will be set up in April 2027; Asahi reported it will launch next spring. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The office will be placed in the Traffic General Affairs Division (交通総務課). [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- It is the first unit of its kind among Japan's police forces, according to the reports. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- It will handle permit applications for Level 4 autonomous driving and accident investigations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Asahi reported the department is considering upgrading the office to a division in the spring after next. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Asahi reported the office will receive staff dispatched from other prefectural police forces. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Metropolitan Police Department will set up an Autonomous Driving Planning Office (provisional name) within the Traffic General Affairs Division. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- It will be the first such unit among Japan's police forces. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The unit will deal with autonomous driving permits and with investigations of accidents involving autonomous vehicles. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The name of the office. Both Asahi and Nikkei say 'Autonomous Driving Planning Office' is a provisional name.
- Whether the office will be upgraded to a full division. Asahi reported this is only under consideration for the spring after next.
- How investigations of accidents involving autonomous vehicles will be conducted. Nikkei reported the unit will examine how to conduct such investigations.