Automobile Industry

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) implements various measures to vitalize the automobile market, in order to achieve further development of the automobile industry – the very key industry of Japan. In recent years, responding to the increase of energy/environmental constraints, we are especially focusing on the promotion of automobiles with excellent energy/environmental performance, including so-called ‘next-generation automobiles’.

Main Policy Measures

• xEV Information Platform
• Efforts for Promotion of “Safety Support Car”
• Automated Driving and Mobility Service
• Various Policy Challenges
• MBD（Model Based Development）Working Group

Press Releases and Related Information

• Mobility Digital Transformation (DX) Strategy Formulated (May 24, 2024)
• Launch of Level 4 System Mobility Acceleration Committee for Realization of New Automated Driving Mobility Services by FY2025 (October 19, 2023)
• Guidelines for Promoting the Development of EV Charging Infrastructure Formulated (October 18, 2023)
• New International Standard Issued for “Automated Valet Parking Systems” Formulated by Japan (July 27, 2023)
• Interim Report on Discussions during the Mobility Hydrogen Public-Private Conference Released (July 11, 2023)
• Demonstrations Commence Using Commercial Electric Vehicles with the Aim of Achieving Carbon Neutrality in the Transportation Sector, such as the Operation of Buses, Trucks, and Taxies (June 30, 2023)
• First Meeting of the Study Group for Promoting Development of Battery-Charging Infrastructure Held (June 26, 2023)
• Automated Driving Mobility Services Configured with a Level 4 System Start for the First Time in Japan (May 22, 2023)
• Operation of Automated Driving Vehicle with a Level 4 System Approved for the First Time in Japan (May 12, 2023)
• Automated Driving Vehicle Approved as Automated Operation Level 4 System for the First Time in Japan (March 31, 2023)
• METI Compiles Technology Roadmap for Transition Finance in the Automobile Sector toward the Transition to Decarbonization (March 30, 2023)
• Mobility Hydrogen Public-Private Conference To Be Held (September 6, 2022)
• Automotive Semiconductor Supply Chain Working Group Releases Interim Report Titled Efforts to Make Automotive Supply Chains Resilient (July 1, 2022)
• R&D and Social Implementation Plan Formulated for Automobile-related Projects (March 14, 2022)
• Call for Applicants Starts for Automobile-Related Projects (March 14, 2022)
• METI and MIIT to Hold Third Japan-China Joint Public-Private Seminar on Autonomous Driving (January 31, 2022)
• First Meeting of the Study Group on Sustainability of Storage Batteries to be Held (January 21, 2022)
• Call for Applicants Starts for "Next-Generation Storage Battery and Motor Development" Projects (November 11, 2021)
• R&D and Social Implementation Plan Formulated for "Next-Generation Storage Battery and Motor Development" Projects (November 11, 2021)