FEATURE: Japanese town set to OK country’s 1st “level-4” autonomous vehicles

The central Japan town of Eiheiji, known for its ancient Zen Buddhist temple in Fukui Prefecture, is set to be the first place in the country to adopt a new type of autonomous self-driving vehicle, hoping to pioneer investment in what could become an important future technology.

According to the transport ministry, “level-4” self-driving autonomous vehicles are slated to begin operating in the town from fiscal 2023 starting April, the first time authorities in Japan will give the go-ahead for such a project. Autonomous vehicles are expected to become an essential means of transportation in reg...