MLIT Plans Certification System for Level 2++ Vehicles

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) plans to establish an expert panel to develop a certification system for high-quality vehicles equipped with Level 2++ autonomous driving capabilities. These advanced driver assistance systems are designed to operate with almost no driver involvement. The panel will consult with automobile manufacturers to review technological development progress and examine the requirements for certification. MLIT intends to compile a proposal outlining the certification criteria by March 2027, establishing the framework for evaluating vehicles equipped with these advanced driving capabilities.

Under the proposed framework, MLIT plans to begin accepting certification applications from automobile manufacturers in October 2027. The ministry will assess whether individual vehicles comply with the established standards based on applications submitted by their respective manufacturers. Following certification, the names of approved vehicles and their corresponding models will be publicly disclosed on the ministry's website. This approach will establish a formal process for evaluating and identifying vehicles that meet the government's requirements for advanced driver assistance capabilities.

The certification criteria will cover three principal areas. First, they will evaluate driving performance on expressways and general roads, particularly the ability to operate with almost no driver intervention. Second, the requirements will address systems designed to prevent drivers from becoming overconfident in the technology or misusing its functions. Third, the framework will examine mechanisms for maintaining and continuously improving system capabilities. MLIT will further develop these requirements through discussions with industry experts and automobile manufacturers before finalizing the certification framework.

Industry Impact & Outlook

MLIT's proposed certification framework represents a regulatory step toward establishing consistent evaluation requirements for advanced driver assistance technologies in Japan. By assessing driving performance across expressways and general roads, the system will address operational capabilities alongside safeguards against driver overconfidence and misuse. Its inclusion of maintenance and function-improvement requirements also places emphasis on the continued performance of these systems. For automobile manufacturers, the planned application process from October 2027 will provide a formal route to demonstrate compliance with government-defined standards, while public disclosure of certified vehicle models will make approved vehicles identifiable through an official government source.

Frequently Asked Questions

What certification system is Japan's MLIT planning to introduce?
Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is planning a certification system for high-quality vehicles equipped with Level 2++ autonomous driving capabilities. The framework will evaluate advanced driver assistance systems designed to require almost no driver involvement. MLIT will establish an expert panel to examine the requirements, consult automobile manufacturers about development progress, and prepare certification criteria. Vehicles that satisfy the established standards will receive certification, with their names and models subsequently published on the ministry's official website.

What is the proposed timeline for the Level 2++ vehicle certification system?
MLIT plans to compile a proposal outlining the certification criteria by March 2027, followed by the opening of applications in October 2027. The expert panel will discuss technological development progress with automobile manufacturers and examine the requirements before preparing its proposal. Once the application process begins, automakers will be able to submit their vehicles for evaluation against the established standards. These dates represent the planned milestones for developing and introducing the certification framework.

Which vehicles will be eligible for certification under the proposed framework?
The proposed certification framework will cover high-quality vehicles equipped with Level 2++ autonomous driving capabilities that require almost no driver involvement. These vehicles use advanced driver assistance technologies designed to handle driving operations with minimal intervention from the driver. MLIT intends to evaluate their capabilities against government-defined standards rather than automatically approving vehicles based on manufacturers' claims. Individual automobile manufacturers will need to submit applications so the ministry can verify whether their vehicles meet the certification requirements.

What criteria will MLIT use to certify Level 2++ autonomous driving vehicles?
MLIT plans to establish certification requirements covering three principal areas of vehicle and system performance. The first concerns driving capabilities on expressways and general roads with almost no driver intervention. The second addresses mechanisms for preventing drivers from becoming overconfident in the technology or misusing its functions. The third focuses on systems that ensure the maintenance and improvement of those functions. The expert panel will examine these areas and develop the detailed criteria before the planned March 2027 proposal.

How will automobile manufacturers apply for certification?
Automobile manufacturers will be able to submit applications to MLIT beginning in October 2027 under the planned certification framework. The ministry will examine each application and verify whether the submitted vehicles comply with the established certification standards. The process will therefore involve an assessment by the government rather than automatic recognition of a manufacturer's vehicle specifications. Once vehicles receive certification, their names and models will be publicly disclosed on MLIT's website, allowing the public to identify the vehicles approved under the system.

Will MLIT publish the names of certified vehicles?
Yes. MLIT plans to publicly disclose the names and models of vehicles that successfully obtain certification under the proposed framework. The information will be published on the ministry's official website after the vehicles have been evaluated against the applicable standards. This disclosure will provide an official reference for identifying vehicles recognized under Japan's Level 2++ autonomous driving certification system. The planned publication process forms part of the framework alongside manufacturer applications and the ministry's verification of compliance with certification requirements.