Head of Public Policy - Japan

At Wayve we're committed to creating a diverse, fair and respectful culture that is inclusive of everyone based on their unique skills and perspectives, and regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding) or any other basis as protected by applicable law. About us Founded in 2017, Wayve is the leading developer of Embodied AI technology. Our advanced AI software and foundation models enable vehicles to perceive, understand, and navigate any complex environment, enhancing the usability and safety of automated driving systems. Our vision is to create autonomy that propels the world forward. Our intelligent, mapless, and hardware-agnostic AI products are designed for automakers, accelerating the transition from assisted to automated driving. In our fast-paced environment big problems ignite us—we embrace uncertainty, leaning into complex challenges to unlock groundbreaking solutions. We aim high and stay humble in our pursuit of excellence, constantly learning and evolving as we pave the way for a smarter, safer future. At Wayve, your contributions matter. We value diversity, embrace new perspectives, and foster an inclusive work environment; we back each other to deliver impact. Make Wayve the experience that defines your career! The role Wayve is looking for an experienced, senior public policy leader to build and execute our Japan public policy strategy. This role will lead all public policy outreach and execution across Japan — shaping regulatory pathways, securing relationships with national local stakeholders, and ensuring Wayve’s product, safety and commercial strategies are aligned with the Japanese regulatory and political environment. You will be Wayve’s most senior public policy representative in Japan, responsible for delivering tangible regulatory and commercial outcomes that enable testing and deployment of AV2.0. Key responsibilities: Develop and own Wayve’s Japan public policy strategy and execution plan, aligned to global policy priorities and commercial objectives, reporting regularly to VP, Global Affairs Assurance. Identify critical activity to further Wayve’s commercial goals, independently assessing ROI for Wayve across industry forums and coalitions. Lead engagement with central government (ex. MLIT, METI), national agencies, prefectural and municipal governments, legislators, and regulators. Develop and maintain strong relationships with industry associations (e.g., automotive, mobility, standards bodies), consumer groups and research institutions. Advocate for regulatory approaches that enable safe testing, evaluation and commercial deployment of Wayve’s technology in Japan. Prepare and submit policy positions, technical briefings, consultation responses, and regulatory filings tailored to the Japanese context with support from our global agency. Work closely with Product, Engineering, Safety, Legal and Business Development teams to translate technical and safety requirements into actionable policy positions. Ensure product roadmaps and trial programs meet Japanese regulatory requirements and anticipate likely regulatory changes. Monitor Japanese policy, legislative and regulatory developments; provide timely analysis, scenario planning and recommendations to senior leadership. Support senior leadership and spokespeople for public appearances and press engagements as required. Deliver measurable policy outcomes (e.g., approvals, pilot permits, regulatory clarifications), and define KPIs to track progress. Manage budgets, external consultants, contractors and local legal advisors as needed. About you In order to set you up for success as a Public Policy Lead, Japan at Wayve, we’re looking for the following skills and experience. Essential Location language: Based in Japan (T ... (truncated, view full listing at source)