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

• METI Establishes Task Force for U.S. Tariffs, Opens Special Consultation Counters, Provides Cash Flow Support, etc. in the Short Term in Response to the Execution of Additional U.S. Tariff Measures on Automobiles and Announcement of Reciprocal Tariffs (April 3, 2025)
• Japan-Thailand Public-Private Automotive Business Forum Held (January 16, 2025)
• 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)