Autonomous driving remains a distant reality in Japan

A self-driving vehicle featuring level-4 capabilities, defined when they can handle all driving tasks,in Eiheiji, Japan. The seven-seater golf carts are only allowed to navigate a 2 kilometer (1.2 mile) course with maximum speed 12 kilometers per hour. The limited availability of autonomous driving in Japan stands in stark contrast to the US and China, where robotaxis already roam the streets in some cities. — Bloomberg

Japan is pushing for 50 locations with driverless services in place within three years, but fully autonomous vehicles remain nearly nonexistent in the country.

So far, Fukui prefecture on the main island of Honshu is the only place with vehicles featuring level-4 capabilities – defined when they can handle all driving tasks – but only under specific conditions with the option for humans to take over. In the town of Eiheiji, the seven-seater golf carts are only allowed to navigate a 2 kilometer (1.2 mile) course. Maximum speed: 12 kilometers per hour.