June 30, 2025 Selection of Participants in the Demonstration Experiment Utilizing V2N Communication Environment and Vehicle Information Integration System in the Social Implementation of Automated Driving

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and other stakeholders, is conducting “the Expressway-FOT Demonstration Experiment for the Practical Application, Popularization, and Standardization of Automated Driving” (hereinafter referred to as the "FOT Demonstration Experiment"). The FOT Demonstration Experiment is being conducted based on National Comprehensive Development Plan for Digital Lifelines. As part of this initiative, a demonstration experiment will be conducted on the Shin-Tomei (Tokyo-Nagoya) Expressway (hereinafter referred to as the "Shin-Tomei Expressway Demonstration Experiment"). In the Shin-Tomei Expressway Demonstration Experiment, V2N (Vehicle-to-Network) communication that utilizes mobile phone networks, as well as the vehicle information Integration system, will be used. The MIC, together with METI, has selected participants for the Shin-Tomei Expressway Demonstration Experiment and is now pleased to announce them.

1. Background and outline

　The MIC is currently promoting various initiatives related to information and communications infrastructure for the social implementation of automated driving. These initiatives are being carried out based on the "Comprehensive National Digital Lifeline Development Plan," decided by the Digital Society Promotion Conference on June 2024, as well as deliberations at the " Committee of Infrastructure for Automated Driving," jointly organized by the Road Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT); the Traffic Bureau of the National Police Agency; and the Telecommunications Bureau of the MIC.
　To develop a communication environment necessary for the realization of automated driving, it is important to complementarily utilize various communication methods based on their characteristics—such as communication range, latency, and others—while considering advancements in automated driving and communication technologies, promising use cases, and other relevant factors.
　Based on this approach, the MIC will conduct the FOT Demonstration Experiment, a collaborative effort with METI to verify the effectiveness of V2N communication utilizing 5G/4G networks provided by mobile carriers. The experiment will take place on a section of the Shin-Tomei Expressway. V2N communication and the vehicle information integration system will be employed during the experiment.
　From Friday, April 25, 2025 to Friday, May 30, 2025, we conducted a public solicitation for participation in the Shin-Tomei Expressway Demonstration Experiment and received multiple applications. The MIC, in collaboration with METI and other stakeholders, conducted the screening process, selected participants, and is pleased to announce the results.
2. Outline of the public solicitation for participants in the Shin-Tomei Expressway Demonstration Experiment
(1) Details of the Demonstration Experiment
　　Supporting V2N safe driving through the vehicle information integration system that leverages vehicle probe information

(2) Participant application period
　From Friday, April 25, 2025, to Friday, May 30, 2025 (until noon on the last day)

(3) Selection of experimental participants
　The participants in the Shin-Tomei Expressway Demonstration Experiment in 2(1) have been selected as follows (in alphabetical order):
　・HONDA MOTOR CO.,LTD
　・Mazda Motor Corporation
　・RoboTruck Inc.
　・Suzuki Motor Corporation
　・Subaru Corporation
　・Toyota Motor Corporation