Japan’s Highway Authorities Embrace AI to Combat Wrong-Way Driving

Introduction: Smart Tech Takes the Wheel in Road Safety

Japan’s expressways are about to get a major high-tech upgrade aimed at tackling a persistent and deadly problem — wrong-way driving. In a bid to bolster highway safety and reduce fatal accidents caused by drivers going against traffic, Japan’s three major highway operators have selected 19 innovative technologies following a public call for solutions. These technologies, many of which leverage artificial intelligence (AI), will be tested on actual highways starting in fall 2025. If successful, they could become standard safety measures by the end of fiscal 2026.

Summary: 19 Tech Solutions Chosen to Prevent Wrong-Way Driving

On June 25, Japan’s three major highway corporations — NEXCO Central, East, and West — jointly announced that they had selected 19 proposed solutions to combat wrong-way driving. The selection followed a public request for proposals that ran from December 2024 to February 2025, receiving a total of 21 submissions. This marks the second time such a call for innovation has been made since the initial effort in 2016.

The two primary categories of selected proposals involve (1) monitoring-based systems and (2) in-vehicle alert technologies. The first type uses surveillance cameras and roadside equipment to detect wrong-way vehicles and alert both the offending driver and surrounding traffic. OKI and Fujitsu were among the companies chosen in this category. The second group uses car-installed devices, such as sensors and connected tech, to identify and warn of wrong-way movement, with JVC Kenwood being a notable contributor.

Many of the proposals feature the use of AI-powered image recognition and data analysis to enhance detection accuracy and real-time response. The push for smarter countermeasures comes amid recent wrong-way accidents in Mie and Gifu Prefectures, underscoring the urgency of implementing effective solutions. The highway operators aim to begin on-site testing by fall 2025, with an eye toward full-scale implementation by the end of fiscal 2026.

What Undercode Say: Analyzing the Next Phase of Road Safety Innovation

The adoption of AI-powered solutions by Japan’s expressway operators signals a turning point in how modern infrastructure can actively mitigate traffic risks. The wrong-way driving problem is not unique to Japan; it’s a global hazard that demands intelligent, real-time solutions. What’s notable here is the integration of both roadside and in-vehicle technologies — creating a dual-layered safety net that can work independently or synergistically.

From a policy standpoint, this move reflects Japan’s increasing reliance on public-private partnerships in developing smart infrastructure. By opening the floor to corporate innovation, authorities are tapping into a broader reservoir of technological ingenuity, while ensuring rapid deployment through competitive selection.

AI image recognition in traffic monitoring is a game-changer. It offers rapid identification of anomalies — like a vehicle entering a highway from an exit ramp — and can automate alerts to law enforcement, highway control centers, and drivers. The inclusion of real-time communication to nearby vehicles also reflects the early stages of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems becoming commonplace on roads.

The timeline — testing in fall 2025, followed by rollout in fiscal 2026 — is pragmatic. It allows time for debugging, environmental calibration, and public awareness campaigns. The fact that 19 of 21 proposals were accepted shows a strong pool of relevant technologies, while the diversity of contributors (ranging from telecom firms to automotive electronics companies) shows cross-sector commitment.

Still, public trust will be a hurdle. Japan, like many countries, is cautious about widespread surveillance and AI-driven automation. Ensuring transparency about how data is used, stored, and protected will be crucial. Meanwhile, practical factors such as cost, maintenance, and adaptability to different terrains and traffic volumes will also determine the long-term viability of these systems.

In essence, Japan’s approach could become a model for other nations looking to solve similar issues — not through punitive measures, but by proactively preventing danger through intelligence-driven infrastructure. If successful, this could pave the way for AI to take a much larger role in transportation safety worldwide.

🔍 Fact Checker Results

✅ The 19 technologies were selected after a public call for proposals ending in February 2025.
✅ AI-powered image recognition is a featured component of several accepted proposals.
✅ Wrong-way accidents in Mie and Gifu Prefectures recently reignited urgency for countermeasures.

📊 Prediction

As these technologies mature and pass field testing, Japan is likely to expand their usage nationwide by 2027. Expect legislative frameworks to evolve in parallel, possibly mandating AI-based detection in newly built highways. International observers — especially in Europe and North America — may soon adopt similar frameworks, inspired by Japan’s early success in integrating AI into public safety infrastructure.