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 (President & CEO: 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, aiming to realize sustainable local public transportation in Musashino City. In fiscal year 2026, they will conduct demonstration tests of autonomous driving between Musashino City Hall and Kichijoji Station, as well as infrastructure-coordinated demonstrations around Musashisakai Station.

1. Background and Objectives of the Initiative

Nationwide, bus service reductions due to driver shortages have become increasingly severe, making the sustainability of local public transportation a critical challenge. Additionally, with an aging population and increasingly diverse mobility needs among citizens, there is growing demand for new transportation services.

Musashino City recognizes the importance of advancing digital transformation (DX) in transportation—such as improving operational efficiency through autonomous driving, AI, and big data—to address driver workload reform and labor shortages. However, the city’s urban areas consist of narrow residential roads in densely populated neighborhoods, requiring highly sophisticated technical validation for autonomous driving implementation. Therefore, the city aims to solve various transportation challenges through collaboration leveraging cutting-edge ICT and mobility technologies.

NTT East Japan positions itself as a "Social Innovation Partner for Local Communities," working with municipalities, transportation operators, and residents to co-create solutions for regional challenges. The company is promoting the local implementation of demand-responsive transportation and autonomous driving, while providing integrated solutions that combine autonomous vehicles, communication networks, infrastructure sensors, and digital twin technology.

NTT Mobility aims to accelerate the social implementation of autonomous driving by integrating the nationwide coverage, technical expertise, and knowledge of the NTT Group, offering comprehensive support from vehicle procurement and deployment to operation. At the "Co-Creation Hub" [1], a collaborative facility established at the NTT Musashino Research and Development Center, the company conducts year-round demonstrations of autonomous driving technologies and operations, advancing joint research and validation with various partners.

[1] NTT's Autonomous Driving Demonstration Home Field "Co-Creation Hub" Launches (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 address transportation issues in Musashino City and promote the social implementation of autonomous driving. Specifically, they will conduct demonstrations on multi-vehicle driving technologies and infrastructure coordination. In the future, they will also consider and implement the use of these technologies in Musashino City’s community bus "Mover Bus" and existing bus routes.

2. Overview of the Collaboration

To achieve solutions for local challenges in Musashino City through autonomous driving, two initiatives will be implemented in FY2026:

(1) Demonstration of Autonomous Driving from City Hall to Kichijoji Station Using Multiple Vehicles

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

Planned start date: Second half of FY2026

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

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

Planned start date: Second half of FY2026

Figure 1: Steps Toward Social Implementation of Autonomous Driving (Conceptual)

3. Agreement Signing Date

June 16, 2026 (Tuesday)

Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Musashino City, Urban Development Department, Local Transportation Section

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

NTT East Japan

Customer Inquiries:

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