“Silver robots” and “robotic nurses”? Japanese robot culture and elderly care

Abstract

Japan is often referred to as the “robot kingdom” as its robot culture is popular around the world. The general acceptance of robots as partners of human beings at their workplaces and at home is also a major argument of the Japanese government to promote the use of “social robots” in- and outside the factories to overcome the hardships of the ageing society and especially the decreasing number of Japan’s workforce population. A field of special interest is the “elderly care”- sector, as an increasing number of elderly people will need support in daily tasks and care in the near future. Numerous studies suggest that very soon the “robotic nurse” or robot technology based care will not only be a solution for the shortage of care givers, but will also become an important business in the silver market of the future. This paper will explain the expectations and measures regarding the use of robot technology for Japan’s ageing society and discuss the following questions: What expectations does the Japanese government have regarding a future market for “next generation robots” and which measures have been taken so far? What are the models of first applications of robot technology in the elderly care sector so far and can a “robot therapy” and “silver robots” have a “healing” effect on elderly people? Finally, can the proposed Japanese “robotic lifestyle” of the future be a role model for other ageing societies?.