Japan has one of the oldest societies in the world and the highest number of Robots. By some estimates, Japan alone accounts for 90% of all the Robots in the world and Japanese electronics manufacturers have made spectacular advances in Humanoid Robotic technology which can assist people in a variety of different functions such as communicating simple things with humans, performing simple tasks like adjusting the thermostat, bringing water and food, doing laundry and helping old or incapacitated patients walk with assistance.

Japanese society is very isolated and insular, a product of more than 16 centuries of secluded development with very little contact with the outside world except China and Korea for most of their history. This prevents them from accepting large number of immigrants who might find it difficult to assimilate into the Japanese culture.

As a result Japanese people have invested a lot of time and resources in robotic technology to help assist their aging population in functioning satisfactorily in day to day life. One can read and watch reports almost on a weekly basis on the advances in Japanese robotic technology and how it helps members of its aging population.

Apart from Humanoid robots, older people who are restricted to wheel chairs can now use a robotic washing room which can drench them with pre-warmed water to their liking, lather them with their favorite soap and even help them dry themselves as they come out of the machine. This human washing machine is not very different from the automatic car wash one sees and uses daily in US and other developed countries.

Humanoid and non Humanoid robots are playing an increasing role in Japanese society and helping them cope with an aging and shrinking population thereby reducing the need and clamor for more and more immigrants.  It remains to be seen to what extent robotic technology evolves in Japan and how far it can help Japan’s older generations cope with their final years in a respectable, caring and alert manner.