Robotics and ageing well in Japan :|the challenges and prospects for a super-aged society

Abstract

This thesis looks into the question of how the rapid ageing of the population in Japan is affecting the nation, and what are the main solutions the Japanese government has been developing, especially with the use of robotic technologies. In answering this question, the government reports on ageing and technology are taken into consideration. These reports are Annual report on the aging society: 2018 by the Cabinet Office, New Robot Strategy. Japan’ Robot Strategy - Vision, Strategy, Action Plan of 2015 and The 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan of 2016. Through an analysis of these reports and corresponding studies, it is seen that rather than solving the issues that are accelerating the population ageing in Japan, mainly decrease in fertility and challenging immigration policies, the Japanese government is planning to utilise new technologies, especially robotic technologies to mitigate the problem. The government's plans also include leading the newly emerging field of medical and nursing robots and creating a favourable environment within the global robotics market for Japanese robots and technology. Through these developments in technology, Japan intends to address the issues born out of population ageing while creating an opportunity for companies and institutions to obtain a large share of the global robotics market.