June 23, 2026 Release of the Phase 3 Report of the Study Group on Next-Generation ITS Communications for Cooperative Automated Driving

- Recommendations for a Communication Infrastructure Strategy Supporting an Automated Driving Society -

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) convened the “Study Group on Next-Generation ITS Communications for Cooperative Automated Driving” (Phase 3) and conducted a solicitation for opinions on the draft Phase 3 report, which compiled the study group's examination of the future of communication infrastructure in anticipation of the full-scale arrival of an automated driving society, from Wednesday, April 29, 2026, through Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
　Based on the results of the solicitation for opinions, the Study Group has finalized the "Phase 3 Report of the Study Group on Next-Generation ITS Communications for Cooperative Automated Driving - Recommendations for a Communication Infrastructure Strategy Supporting an Automated Driving Society -" and MIC hereby releases it.

Note: The published materials are in Japanese only.

1 Background and Overview

　Against the backdrop of a declining population and other demographic changes, securing local transportation services and logistics has become a major challenge, and the realization of automated driving is expected to provide a means of addressing these issues.

　With regard to automated driving, rapid advances in AI technology have further accelerated development and demonstration efforts both in Japan and abroad, and the Japanese government is promoting initiatives aimed at social implementation and commercialization.

　For the social implementation of automated driving, it is an urgent priority to secure communication infrastructure that will support safe and smooth operations. This requires examination of the direction of national policies and private-sector initiatives concerning communication infrastructure, taking into account the latest relevant trends and future outlook, including from a medium- to long-term perspective.

　Accordingly, since September 2025, MIC has convened the “Study Group on Next-Generation ITS Communications for Cooperative Automated Driving” (Phase 3) and has continued discussions on communication infrastructure policy and related matters from the broad perspective of [automated driving × communications], with a view to the full-scale arrival of an automated driving society.

　As a result of these discussions, MIC conducted a solicitation for opinions on the draft Phase 3 report from Wednesday, April 29, 2026, through Tuesday, June 2, 2026, and received 37 opinions.

　Based on the results of the solicitation for opinions, the Study Group has finalized the "Phase 3 Report of the Study Group on Next-Generation ITS Communications for Cooperative Automated Driving - Recommendations for a Communication Infrastructure Strategy Supporting an Automated Driving Society -." MIC hereby releases the report together with the results of the solicitation for Opinions and related materials.