TOKYO: The Japanese government Tuesday adopted a policy of conditionally launching full self-driving services on general roads across the country in fiscal 2025.

At a digital administrative and fiscal reform meeting, the government also decided to start providing financial support for the initial investment in businesses using so-called level 4 autonomous vehicles from the current fiscal year through next March.

At present, it takes 11 months to complete an examination for self-driving permission under the road traffic law. The government newly set the target of shortening the period to two months by eliminating duplicate check points.

As for ride-hailing services, which have already been launched in some areas since April, meeting members agreed to continue discussions on nationwide introduction.

Meanwhile, digital minister KONO Taro proposed a 1.5-fold expansion in the Digital Agency’s workforce to about 1,500 people.

In the disaster prevention field, meeting members put priority on creating a disaster information-sharing system, streamlining evacuation center operations by utilizing My Number cards, and digitizing housing damage recognition surveys.

JIJI Press