Japan to Mandate Driver Monitoring Systems in All New Cars Starting 2031

Japan's government will require automakers to install driver monitoring systems in all new vehicles beginning September 2031, escalating efforts to combat distracted driving as smartphone-related accidents hit record levels. The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry will revise its ministerial ordinance to make driver monitoring systems (DMS) mandatory for new car models from September 2031, with existing models required to comply by 2033.