With state funding of billions and supporting giants such as Honda and Sony, Japan wants to become a world leader in robotics by 2040.
The Japan She raises the bar vertically in her international race artificial intelligence and robotic, presenting one of the most ambitious plans announced to date. The country's government approved a new national strategy providing for the development of some 10 million humanoid robots by 2040, with the aim of covering the huge labour shortages and strengthening competitiveness towards China.
The plan does not concern the creation of military force by humanoid robots. On the contrary, it provides for the development of a huge robot fleet to undertake work in industry, agriculture, health and other critical sectors of the economy.
Japan's response to China's sovereignty
Japan has been facing serious for years demographic problem, by ageing the population and reducing the workforce to create pressure on the economy. According to estimates invoked by the British Guardian, the country would need more than 6.5 million foreign workers in the coming years to meet its needs.
Instead of relying solely on immigration, Tokyo chooses to invest even more in roboticsThe new strategy provides for the implementation of the Noetra program, which will utilize artificial intelligence and advanced humanoid robots in 18 different sectors of the economy.
The government will allocate around 1 trillion (about 5.4 billion euros) over the next five years to speed up the development and mass adoption of new technologies. At the same time, a national research centre for the so-called «natural artificial intelligence» (Physical AI), which allows robots to operate autonomously in the real world and not only in digital environments.
Some of the largest Japanese technology companies, such as Honda, Sony, SoftBank and NEC, are already involved in the project, while other major groups are expected to join, including Fujitsu and Rakuten. Overall, it is estimated that around 40 companies will participate.
Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister, Riosey Akazawa, said the country intends to exploit the expertise it has gained in areas such as elderly care, management of natural disasters, industrial production and decommissioning work at the Fukushima nuclear power station, to gain a lead in the new era of robotics.
The announcement comes in a period intense competition with China, which is currently considered the global protagonist in the development of humanoid robots. With the new programme, Japan aspires not only to face the internal challenges of the labour market, but also to claim leadership in the next decade's industry.
