As Japan faces a rapidly aging population and a severe shortage of elderly care workers, researchers are turning to artificial intelligence-driven robots as a possible solution. One such innovation, a humanoid robot named AIREC, was recently demonstrated in Tokyo, showcasing its ability to assist in caregiving tasks such as repositioning a patient to prevent bedsores.
Addressing Japan’s Aging Crisis
Japan’s “baby boomer” generation, born between 1947 and 1949, all turned 75 or older by the end of 2024, putting unprecedented strain on the country’s healthcare system. Compounding the issue, birth rates hit a record low in 2024, with just 720,988 babies born, continuing a nine-year decline.
The caregiving industry is feeling the pressure. In December, Japan had just one applicant for every 4.25 nursing jobs, far below the 1.22 average ratio across other sectors. While the government has turned to foreign workers, they made up only 3% of the caregiving workforce in 2023, with about 57,000 foreign caregivers employed.
With a growing elderly population and a limited workforce, experts believe technology may be the only viable solution.
“We are barely keeping our heads above water, and in 10 to 15 years, the situation will be quite bleak,” said Takashi Miyamoto, director at Zenkoukai, a company operating elderly care facilities. “Technology is our best chance to avert that.”
AIREC: A Humanoid Caregiver in Development
AIREC, a 150-kg AI-powered robot, has been designed to handle basic caregiving tasks such as helping a patient sit up, assisting with dressing, folding laundry, and even cooking simple meals. Developed by Shigeki Sugano, president of the Robotics Society of Japan, AIREC represents a major step toward AI-integrated elder care.
However, Sugano notes that physically interacting with humans requires exceptional precision and intelligence, which is why humanoid robots are rarely used for direct caregiving. Unlike factory robots or home assistants like Tesla’s Optimus, AIREC is being developed to provide hands-on support, a challenge that requires advanced safety mechanisms and adaptability.
Despite its potential, AIREC is still a prototype, and Sugano does not expect it to be ready for nursing facilities until around 2030, with an initial price tag of at least 10 million yen ($67,000).
Current Role of Technology in Elder Care
While humanoid robots are still in development, Japan has already begun integrating simpler AI-powered technologies into caregiving. Some facilities, like those run by Zenkoukai, use small interactive robots that sing songs and lead stretching exercises to engage elderly residents. Others employ sleep-monitoring sensors placed under mattresses to reduce the need for human caregivers making nighttime rounds.
Despite these advancements, many believe that robots alone cannot replace human caregivers.
Takaki Ito, a caregiver at a Zenkoukai facility, remains hopeful but cautious. “If AI-equipped robots can understand each patient’s living conditions and personal traits, they may have a future in direct caregiving,” he said. “But I don’t think robots can fully grasp the complexities of nursing care. The ideal future is one where humans and robots work together to improve elderly care.”
As Japan continues to grapple with its aging crisis, AI and robotics may play a pivotal role in shaping the future of caregiving—helping to bridge the gap where human resources fall short.
