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

• 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)
• Interim Report Compiled on an Appropriate Form for the Regulations on Fuel Cell Vehicles (June 28, 2021)
• METI Compiles a Collection of Knowledge Useful for Public Implementation and Future Directions Based on the Results and Challenges of the FY2020 Smart Mobility Challenge Project(April 2, 2021)
• Driverless Autonomous Driving Mobility Services to Start in Seaside Resort in Chatan Town, Okinawa Prefecture(March 30, 2021)
• New Body “Study Group on Automobile Policies for Carbon Neutrality” to be Inaugurated (March 5, 2021)
• First Poster Contest of Safety Support Cars for Elementary-School Students Across Japan to be Held (December 14, 2020)
• Final Results of Second Japan Automotive AI Challenge Announced (December 14, 2020)
• Test Operation of Remote Controlled Driverless Autonomous Driving Mobility Services to Start (December 11, 2020)
• FY2020 Online Symposium for Smart Mobility Challenge to be Held (August 21, 2020)
• Creation of New MaaS in Various Regions to be Promoted (July 31, 2020)
• Distribution MaaS to be Launched (July 21, 2020)
• “Manual for Promoting Use of Electrified Vehicles in Disaster Situations” Compiled (July 10, 2020)
• Creation of New MaaS in Various Regions to be Promoted (April 22, 2020)