The Japanese government is aiming to meet with automakers to discuss the future of the country’s automotive industry as soon as next month, Japanese industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said on Sunday. The head of the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry revealed this plan while visiting the United States to attend the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework trade negotiations.
Nishimura visited the Toyota Motor Corp’s research facilities in California on Saturday, where he stated to reporters, “The automobile industry is entering a period of major transformation.”
The planned meeting is expected to be attended by Nishimura, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, several government ministers, and leaders of Japanese auto manufacturing firms.
According to Nishimura, the early introduction of autonomous driving and “measures to promote its widespread use” will be included on the agenda, along with discussions about the role of the automotive industry in a decarbonized economy. The proposition to host one such meeting was initially introduced by Nishimura during a visit to the Toyota plant in Japan in June.