Japan wants 10 million more robots by 2040, some providing medical care

AI and ML

We’ve learned so much cleaning up after Fukushima, let’s level that up with added AI, says minister

Japan has updated its national robotics strategy with a goal to adopt 10 million robots by the year 2040, with some intended to provide medical care.

Minister for the Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa yesterday announced the amended strategy, which envisions more robots working to provide medical care, or taking on roles in the food and beverage manufacturing sectors.

To make it happen, Akazawa announced investments in models for AI-powered robots and other forms of physical AI. As is often the case in Japan, this effort will bring together a handful of industrial giants to share their expertise. That collaboration will take place within a new organization called “Noetra” that will be majority-owned by SoftBank, NEC, Sony Group, and Honda. Fujitsu and Rakuten are apparently pondering participation.

The minister said Japan already has a lot of robotics expertise gained from using machines in healthcare for the elderly, disaster response, manufacturing, and even decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. He hopes to use that experience to turn Japan into a robotics powerhouse that serves domestic needs and creates world-leading products.

One reason Japan is keen on robots is the combination of its ageing population and restrictive migration policies means it is hard to find workers. Robots therefore supplant humans in some roles – and often do so without much complaint because they’re not taking jobs but instead are filling jobs humans aren’t available or willing to perform.

South Korea announced a similar plan to become a robotics powerhouse on Monday, so let battle be joined! Hopefully not giant robot battle – an aspect of robotics that’s a notable feature of Japanese popular culture. ®