Tokyu Real Estate, T2, and Kitakyushu City Sign Japan's First Public-Private Agreement to Establish Hubs for Wide-Area Transport Network Using Autonomous Trucks

Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture (located in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka; Mayor: Kazuhisa Tsuchiuchi, hereinafter "Kitakyushu City"), Tokyu Real Estate Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Toshiaki Tanaka, hereinafter "Tokyu Real Estate"), and T2 Inc. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Masutomo Kumabe, hereinafter "T2") announce the signing of a basic agreement (hereinafter "this agreement") on July 14, 2026. The agreement aims to establish mutual cooperation toward developing hub facilities for a wide-area transport network connecting Kyushu and Honshu using autonomous trucks, in anticipation of T2’s future expansion of its Level 4 autonomous truck highway transportation service into the Kyushu region. This marks Japan’s first public-private partnership agreement involving a transportation operator utilizing autonomous trucks.

Following the signing, T2 will proceed with evaluations to utilize logistics facilities such as Tokyu Real Estate’s proposed “(Provisional Name) LOGI’Q Ogura Higashi Project” (hereinafter “this property”) in Kitakyushu City as “transition hubs” where autonomous trucks switch between driverless and manned operations.

*¹ Based on research by Tokyu Real Estate and T2 as of July 14, 2026. Agreement also signed on the same date with Tosu City, Saga Prefecture.

*² A state in which the automated driving system performs all driving tasks under specific operational design conditions (refer to: 001226541.pdf)

Background of the Agreement

Historically a key transportation hub and gateway to Kyushu, Kitakyushu City has developed as a manufacturing-centered “city of craftsmanship.” Leveraging its geographical advantages and industrial history, the city has established a comprehensive logistics infrastructure capable of handling all transport modes—land, sea, and air. In recent years, rising e-commerce demand and increasing small-lot, high-frequency deliveries have intensified nationwide labor shortages in logistics. This has created an urgent need to build sustainable logistics networks through labor reduction and automation. In response, Kitakyushu City has formulated the “Kitakyushu Logistics Hub Vision,” aiming to maximize its logistics potential by concentrating high-functionality logistics facilities equipped for next-generation logistics, including logistics DX and automation, to establish a sustainable logistics hub.

T2, whose vision is “to support Japan’s logistics together through autonomous driving technology,” aims to launch Level 4 autonomous truck highway transportation services from fiscal year 2027. Since 2024, T2 has conducted demonstration projects using its in-house developed Level 2 autonomous trucks, transporting goods for over 50 diverse companies. Starting in 2025, T2 began offering regular “commercial operations” between the Kanto and Kansai regions for companies that completed demonstrations, expanding its user base to 23 companies as of July 15, 2026. Following the realization of Level 4 autonomy, T2 plans to extend its service area to Kyushu and aims to operate 2,000 trucks by the 2030s.

Tokyu Real Estate is actively developing logistics and industrial facilities nationwide, leveraging extensive development expertise and networks. The company plans to invest 580 billion yen in logistics and industrial facilities by fiscal year 2030.

The two companies established a capital and business alliance in 2025, building a close collaboration framework to develop next-generation logistics infrastructure. The “(Provisional Name) LOGI’Q Ogura Higashi Project,” which Tokyu Real Estate is developing in Kitakyushu City, is positioned as an ideal site to integrate the expertise of both companies.

This agreement was reached as the shared vision among the three parties—Kitakyushu City, Tokyu Real Estate, and T2—to advance the city’s logistics system and promote industrial development converged. Through collaboration between private companies and public administration, they aim to co-create a new model of logistics facilities compatible with autonomous trucks, accelerating not only improvements in logistics productivity but also the development of a wide-area transport network extending from Kitakyushu to all of Kyushu and further into Honshu.

*³ High-level automated driving under specific conditions, performed under driver supervision

*⁴ Press release related to this matter: https://t2.auto/news/2025/0701.pdf

*⁵ As of July 15, 2026

Overview of the Agreement

The agreement aims for Kitakyushu City, Tokyu Real Estate, and T2 to mutually cooperate and collaborate toward jointly building a wide-area transport network utilizing autonomous trucks, in anticipation of T2’s future expansion of its Level 4 autonomous truck highway transportation services into Kyushu.

<Overview of the Agreement>

Project Plan Overview

Tokyu Real Estate is planning the next-generation logistics hub “(Provisional Name) LOGI’Q Ogura Higashi Project” near Ogura Higashi IC in Kokura Minami Ward, Kitakyushu City. Having previously advanced direct highway IC-connected developments across Japan, including in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, this project will further strengthen the logistics network in Kyushu. Additionally, to accommodate diverse cargo needs—including heavy goods such as automotive parts and beverages—the facility will feature a hybrid double-sided berth combining high and low docks, with a first-floor floor load capacity of 2.0 tons/m².

T2, preparing for Level 4 autonomy, established “TransGate” transition hubs in spring 2026 near highway interchanges in Kanagawa and Hyogo Prefectures, where drivers board and disembark to switch between driverless operation on highways and manned operation on regular roads. Considering future expansion into Kyushu, T2 will explore utilizing not only the “(Provisional Name) LOGI’Q Ogura Higashi Project” but also other logistics facilities Tokyu Real Estate plans to develop in Kyushu as similar transition hubs. T2 will also consider offering transportation services to companies leasing space within these logistics facilities.

*⁶ Press releases related to this matter:

(TransGate Ayase, Kobe Nishi) https://t2.auto/news/2026/0424.pdf

(TransGate Nishinomiya Kita) https://t2.auto/news/2026/0615.pdf

T2’s Level 2 autonomous truck (left), TransGate Ayase transition hub in Kanagawa Prefecture (right)

Tokyu Real Estate’s “Industrial Town Development” Initiative

Tokyu Real Estate continues to tackle social challenges through its business activities and strives to create unique value.

In logistics, since entering the sector in 2016, the company has been involved in 53 development projects nationwide (as of March 2026). Momentum is growing, with the completion of its 100% renewable energy-powered data center in Ishikari City, Hokkaido, in March 2026. The company plans to invest 580 billion yen in logistics and industrial facilities by fiscal year 2030.

Starting in July 2025, Tokyu Real Estate launched its “Industrial Town Development” initiative (GREEN CROSS PARK), combining its long-standing urban development expertise with know-how in Digital Transformation (DX) and Green Transformation (GX) to promote sustainable, industry-led urban development across Japan.

GREEN CROSS PARK | Tokyu Real Estate’s Industrial Park and Urban Development Business

Going forward, the company will continue collaborating with municipalities and corporate partners, adding DX and GX value through autonomous truck-compatible industrial hubs, data centers, and more