Japan has long been known as a leader in cutting-edge technology, yet when it comes to self-driving cars, the country is lagging behind its global competitors. While the U.S. and China have already launched commercial driverless services, Japan is still in the testing phase—most notably with Nissan’s latest autonomous vehicle.
Nissan’s new self-driving van is an impressive piece of technology. It boasts 14 cameras, 9 radars, and 6 sensors, all working together to navigate safely and efficiently. In a recent trial, the vehicle successfully obeyed traffic laws, avoided obstacles, and even reached a set destination using a mobile app. These promising results suggest that Japan is making strides toward a future with autonomous transportation.
However, there’s still a significant hurdle—the lack of an official launch date for public use. This delay could prove costly, especially with Google-backed Waymo planning to enter the Japanese market later this year. Waymo’s established reputation and advanced technology may put immense pressure on local automakers to speed up their developments.
As Japan works to bridge the gap in self-driving technology, the competition is intensifying. Whether Nissan and other domestic brands can rise to the challenge remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the race for autonomous dominance in Japan is just beginning.
