Japan Growth Strategy Targets 25% Global Autonomous Vehicle Market Share by 2030s

The Japan government on June 30 unveiled a draft of the "Japan’s Growth Strategy," a national roadmap designed to build a stronger economy through long-term strategic investment. The proposal outlines combined public and private investment exceeding JPY 370 trillion by the fiscal year beginning in April 2040 (FY2040). Funding will be directed toward 62 designated products and technologies spanning 17 internationally competitive sectors that are considered essential for economic security, including autonomous driving technology, storage batteries, and flying cars.

Among the identified priority sectors, autonomous driving technology has been positioned as a strategic investment field intended to strengthen the country's global competitiveness. The draft strategy emphasizes the importance of advancing next-generation mobility technologies to support economic growth while enhancing industrial capabilities in areas viewed as strategically significant for the future.

A central objective of the draft strategy is to secure an approximately 25% share of the global autonomous vehicle market during the 2030s. The government plans to accelerate commercialization and adoption by promoting the deployment of Level 4 autonomous driving technology for business-use vehicles. Level 4 systems enable fully autonomous driving under specific operating conditions, supporting broader implementation across commercial mobility applications.

To further encourage market adoption, the proposal also includes plans to establish a certification framework for "Level 2++" advanced driver assistance systems. This category is intended for highly advanced driver assistance technologies that require virtually no driver involvement under designated conditions. The certification system is expected to provide a clearer regulatory pathway for introducing increasingly capable automated driving functions while supporting the broader expansion of autonomous mobility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main objective of Japan's Growth Strategy for autonomous driving?
The draft Japan's Growth Strategy aims to strengthen the country's economy through long-term strategic investment while positioning autonomous driving as a globally competitive industry. It targets approximately a 25% share of the global autonomous vehicle market during the 2030s, supports the deployment of Level 4 autonomous driving for business-use vehicles, and introduces a certification system for Level 2++ advanced driver assistance technologies to accelerate commercialization and adoption of automated mobility solutions.