In a Tokyo lab, an AI-driven humanoid robot named AIREC gently rolled a man onto his side—a move designed to assist with diaper changes and prevent bedsores. The demonstration was a glimpse into Japan’s future, where robots could help address a critical shortage of aged-care workers.
Weighing 150 kg (330 lbs), AIREC is a prototype developed by Waseda University researchers, led by Professor Shigeki Sugano, with government support. “Given our highly advanced ageing society and declining births, we will be needing robots’ support for medical and elderly care, and in our daily lives,” Sugano said.
Japan’s ageing crisis is stark: by the end of 2024, all of its post-war baby boomers had turned at least 75. The country’s birth rate hit a new low in 2024, with only 720,988 babies born, while the nursing sector had a staggering 4.25 job openings per applicant.
While the government has turned to foreign workers, they make up less than 3% of the sector’s workforce. Elderly-care facility operator Zenkoukai says technology may be the only way to avoid a deeper crisis.
Currently, technology’s role in care homes is limited. Small robots sing songs and lead stretching exercises, while sensors under mattresses monitor residents’ sleep. However, humanoid robots capable of physical interaction, like AIREC, are still years away from practical use.
Sugano expects AIREC to debut in care facilities around 2030, with an initial price tag of at least ¥10 million ($67,000). Despite the high cost, care workers like Takaki Ito remain hopeful. “Robots and humans working together to improve nursing care is a future I am hoping for,” he said.
As Japan’s population continues to age, the push for advanced caregiving technology could redefine elderly care—not just in Japan but globally.
