Musashino City, NTT East Japan, and NTT Mobility Sign Collaboration Agreement for Introducing Autonomous Driving into Local Public Transportation

Musashino City, Tokyo (Mayor: Yasuhiro Komino, hereinafter "Musashino City"), NTT East Japan Corporation Tokyo Musashino Branch (Branch Manager: Kazufumi Takao, hereinafter "NTT East Japan"), and NTT Mobility Corporation (Representative Director and President: Kota Yamashita, hereinafter "NTT Mobility") signed a "Collaboration Agreement for Introducing Autonomous Driving into Local Public Transportation" on June 16, 2026.

Under this agreement, the three parties will promote initiatives toward the social implementation of autonomous driving in complex traffic environments, including conducting autonomous driving demonstrations between Musashino City Hall and Kichijoji Station, and infrastructure-coordinated demonstrations around Musashisakai Station during fiscal 2026, aiming to realize sustainable local public transportation within Musashino City.

1. Background and Objectives of the Initiative

Nationwide, bus service reductions due to driver shortages are becoming increasingly severe, making the assurance of sustainable local public transportation a critical issue. Additionally, with the progression of aging and diversification of citizens' mobility needs, there is a growing demand for new transportation services.

Musashino City recognizes the importance of gradually advancing digital transformation (DX) in transportation, such as improving operational efficiency through autonomous driving, AI, and big data, to address bus driver workstyle reforms and labor shortages. However, the city's urban areas feature narrow residential roads in densely populated neighborhoods, requiring highly advanced technical verification for autonomous driving implementation. Therefore, the city aims to solve various transportation challenges through collaboration utilizing cutting-edge ICT and mobility technologies.

NTT East Japan, as a "Social Innovation Partner for local communities," works with municipalities, transportation operators, and residents to co-create solutions for regional challenges. The company promotes the local implementation of demand-responsive transportation and autonomous driving based on regional public transportation issues, while also providing comprehensive solutions combining autonomous vehicles, communications, infrastructure sensors, and digital twin technology.

NTT Mobility aims to accelerate the social implementation of autonomous driving by integrating NTT Group's nationwide coverage, technologies, and expertise to comprehensively provide and enhance vehicle procurement, introduction, and operation. At the co-creation hub "Co-Creation Hub"[1], established at the NTT Musashino Research and Development Center, the company conducts year-round demonstrations related to autonomous driving technology and operations, advancing discussions and verifications for social implementation with various partners.

[1] NTT's Autonomous Driving Demonstration Home Field "Co-Creation Hub" Begins Operation! (May 25, 2026)

https://www.ntt-mobility.com/news/20260525/newsrelease-260525/

Based on this shared understanding of challenges, the three parties will collaborate and work with local stakeholders to advance initiatives addressing local public transportation challenges in Musashino City and promoting the social implementation of autonomous driving. Specifically, they will conduct demonstrations toward autonomous driving implementation, including multi-vehicle driving technology verification and infrastructure coordination. In the future, they will consider and implement technological applications to Musashino City's community bus "Mubus" and existing bus routes.

2. Overview of the Collaboration

To achieve regional problem-solving in Musashino City through autonomous driving introduction, two initiatives will be implemented in fiscal 2026.

(1) Autonomous Driving Demonstration between City Hall and Kichijoji Station Using Multiple Vehicles

As part of the activities of the "Co-Creation Hub" planned and operated by NTT Mobility, driving technology verification using multiple vehicle types will be conducted. In addition, in collaboration with local transportation operators, autonomous driving technology demonstrations will be carried out on a planned route connecting Musashino City Hall and Kichijoji Station, areas with high transportation demand.

・Planned start date of demonstration: Second half of fiscal 2026

(2) Infrastructure Coordination Demonstration around Musashisakai Station for Smooth Driving in Complex Traffic Environments

In complex traffic environments where diverse traffic such as pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles coexist, the usefulness of human-vehicle-infrastructure integrated cooperative autonomous driving will be verified in the area around Musashisakai Station, utilizing smart poles.

・Planned start date of demonstration: Second half of fiscal 2026

3. Agreement Signing Date

June 16, 2026 (Tuesday)

(Contact Information)

Musashino City, Urban Development Department, Regional Transportation Section

Tel: 0422-60-1859 Mail: SEC-KOUTUU@city.musashino.lg.jp

NTT East Japan

[For Customer Inquiries]

NTT East Japan Tokyo Musashino Branch, Business Innovation Department Tel: 0120-424299

[For Media Inquiries]

NTT East Japan Tokyo Business Division, Public Relations Contact Mail: kouhou-tokyo-ml@east.ntt.co.jp

NTT Mobility Corporation, Corporate Division

contact@ntt-mobility.com