Japan will require all new vehicles manufactured or imported after September 2031 to include driver monitoring systems that detect distracted driving [1].
The mandate targets "nagara-unten," or driving while performing other tasks. By automating the detection of gaze deviation and phone use, the government aims to reduce accidents caused by driver inattention and align domestic laws with global safety trends.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said the systems must be able to detect when a driver's eyes leave the road or when they are engaged in prohibited activities [2]. Once the system detects such behavior, it will trigger an alert to warn the driver to refocus on the road [2].
While the requirement for new vehicle models begins in September 2031 [1], the timeline for existing models is longer. New production of current vehicle models must comply with the mandate starting in September 2033 [1].
This domestic shift follows a broader international movement toward standardized vehicle safety. International standards for these monitoring systems were scheduled to take effect in September 2024 [2]. To facilitate this transition, the ministry planned an amendment to the Road Transport Vehicle Act by the end of May 2024 [1].
The technology focuses on the driver's face and eye movement to ensure constant vigilance. By mandating this across all new imports and domestic production, Japan intends to create a uniform safety floor for all motorists, regardless of the vehicle brand [2].
“Japan will require all new vehicles manufactured or imported after September 2031 to include driver monitoring systems.”
This regulation signals Japan's commitment to integrating AI-driven surveillance into the cockpit to combat the rise of smartphone-related distractions. By setting a multi-year glide path—extending to 2033 for existing models—the government is providing automakers time to integrate hardware and software without disrupting current supply chains, while ensuring that the Japanese market remains compliant with evolving global safety certifications.
