From land of the rising sun to land of the robots

What comes to mind when you think of Japan? Would it be the beautiful Mt Fuji, Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing, or the delicious ramen noodles? 

Or would it be robots?

In fact, Japan has long been an early adopter of robotics, given its technology prowess and to address its labor shortage. One of the more prominent areas of deployment is in the service sector. Faced with demographic challenges, robots can help counter the shortage of care workers and growing need for long-term care services. While they cannot replace humans, robots can assist the older adults (such as in mobility) and provide temporary relief for care workers and healthcare staff. 

Beyond care work, other interesting examples of robot deployments abound. A robot cafe is set to open this summer in Nihonbashi, featuring real robot humanoids serving customers. Such robots are controlled remotely by people with mobility impairments, extending employment opportunities for those who can’t leave their house or are bed-ridden to interact with others. Furthermore, these proxy robots can also help to combat loneliness brought about by isolation.

Beyond service robots in offices and nursing homes, such as those developed by Tokyo-based Preferred Networks (in collaboration with Toyota to solve social issues), artificial intelligence (AI) also has other broad applications in Japan.  

For example, the International Research Institute of Disaster Science at Tohoku University, the Earthquake Research Institute at the University of Tokyo, and Fujitsu Laboratories have recently developed an artificial intelligence model to predict tsunamis, by leveraging the power of Fugaku, the world’s fastest supercomputer. Such advancements can greatly improve disaster mitigation and evacuation measures, saving lives during critical moments.

One thing stands out in Japanese culture with regards to robotics and AI: the country has a long history of embracing robots. Instead of Terminator or killer robots being designed to take over the world, such advanced technology is often portrayed as cuddly and helpful in Japan. Take for example, my most favorite childhood cartoon, Doraemon, which is a lovable robotic cat that traveled from the future.

Recognizing the benefits that such innovations will bring, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has established the Invest Tokyo program, to promote Tokyo as the place to catalyze innovation and use technology for good. It also provides free consulting services, including partnership support, for companies looking to establish business in Tokyo, with a focus on fintech and Industry 4.0 (AI, IoT, and blockchain). 

Separately, the Japanese government is also establishing the world’s largest university endowment fund — at $100 billion — in March 2022, to reignite research and development. 

From aging to climate change, our society faces immense challenges in the years to come. Deployed thoughtfully, technology can create a pathway for the human race to navigate the obstacles, allowing future generations to thrive. 

Progress is not a zero-sum game. Through collaborations across cultures and countries, we can harness the power of technology for good, and create a better and more equitable, sustainable world, for all. 

For more information on the Invest Tokyo program, watch the “Startup's Guide to Tokyo” webinar here.

This article was previously published on Irish Tech News.