Robots to Take Over 3.5 Million Jobs in Japan
This isn't necessarily bad thing for friends across the Pacific. It seems that much of Japan's population is getting older. In fact researchers expect to see a drop in the Japanese work force of about 16 percent by 2030, and filling positions as citizens retire is just part of the problem. The number of elderly people in the country is ballooning, and caring for these citizens may be one of the major industries that robots play an important role in.
The Machine Industry Memorial Foundation doesn't see robots completely replacing humans, but allowing people the time to focus on more important things. Robots could clean house, monitor the health of the elderly, bathe them, read to your kids, and of course, deliver you a beer.
Researchers expect 40 percent of Japan's population to be over 65 by the year 2055, making the robot workforce a pressing concern.
From Reuters
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Benjamin Wright @ Apr 8th 2008 9:55PM
Terrence: As robots become more common, legal issues will arise. Contracts will be one tool for regulating robot bad behavior or unwanted spying. http://hack-igations.blogspot.com/2008/01/robot-surveillance-contracts.html --Ben
Les @ Apr 9th 2008 2:10AM
I'm sorry...........what am I missing here? I thought they had robots all along.
Web @ Apr 9th 2008 8:56AM
That picture is of Number 5 from that 80's movie with Akky Sheedy. He is still outrunning the law? Working in Japan.
Robbin Stoddard @ Apr 9th 2008 2:57PM
I hope all those out-of-work Japanese don't come here. We are already about to lose our country to electronic technology and illegal aliens....
Bob Wong @ Apr 9th 2008 3:13PM
With the decreasing population of Japan, jobs can be replaced by machines. It is the trend all over the world.
Bill @ Apr 9th 2008 3:22PM
When all of the Japanese are dead, who is going to get the country?
I will volunteer to help them re-populate if they wish. I like the Japanese.
"C" @ Apr 9th 2008 3:28PM
good point Robin! LOL
JUSTPICKY @ Apr 9th 2008 3:43PM
OVERNIGHT , YOUR JOB WILL BE GONE ......
JUST BE PREPARED ..IF ROBOTS NOT ALL GOING TO TAKE IT , THEN THE MEXICANS AND OTHER FORIEGNERS WILL STEAL YOUR JOB ......
WHEN YOU DON'T EXPECT IT ........
Kent @ Apr 9th 2008 3:45PM
Japan - land of mass vending machines, robots, affecionados for automation - is declining in population. They had a net loss of 60,000 people in 2006 due to low birthrates. They are not prepared to promote guest worker programs and immigration for the purpose of filling the gap. Therefore, robots are partial solutions to their population plight.
YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK FOR A JOB , MATTER OF TIME @ Apr 9th 2008 3:47PM
THERE'S OVER 7.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN USA OUT OF A JOB , THERE'S LESS THAN 4 MILLION JOBS AVAILABLE, SO WHERE IS EVERYONE ELSE GOING TO FOUND A JOB?????
MAYBE IF THE MEXICANS GO BACK BACK TO MEXICO , MAYBE THERE'S GOING TO BE A JOB FOR THE "TRUE AMERICANS " .......WE CAN'T FORGET MILLIONS OF FOREIGNERS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES ARE STEALING THE JOBS TOO ...........
COMPANIES ARE SELLING THERE OWN COUNTRY OUT ( USA ) , THEY'RE TRAITORS ....GET RID OF N.A.P.T.A .............
paul @ Apr 9th 2008 3:59PM
If anyone is looking for work I hear the farmers in Colorado could use farm laborers due to a shortage of immigrant labor
G. COLE @ Apr 9th 2008 4:05PM
TO ROBBIN STODDARD -
YOU WATCH TOO MUCH OF 'LOU DOBBS'
['INDEPENDENT' MY BUTT] AND ALL THE OTHER
LIBERALS WHO CLAIM THE SKY IS FALLING BECAUSE
BUSH AND CHENEY HATE US ALL. IF THINGS ARE
SO DOGGONE GRIM, WHY HASN'T OUR DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS BAILED US OUT ?
JERGCOLE@AOL.COM
Pete @ Apr 9th 2008 4:11PM
I've already been put out of a job by a device called a "Rabbit." My wife bought this thing at a sex shop and I've not had sex (with her) in almost a year.
However, when one door closes another one opens up. THANK GOD!!
trp @ Apr 9th 2008 4:28PM
maybe we can send some of the illegal aliens to Japan since they need them more than us.
jdrabe @ Apr 9th 2008 4:42PM
the bushies wont be happy until they have destroyed every single last decent paying job in america.
james carter @ Apr 9th 2008 4:45PM
thats what we need more people out of work next it will happen here when ceos learn they do not have to pay wages,health care,retirement to robots and they can screw the working man even more and put more money in their offshore acts. the working people are screwed again they think wrong they will need power to run robots and we will pull the plug. no power for robots
Valerie @ Apr 9th 2008 4:52PM
Pete says:
I've already been put out of a job by a device called a "Rabbit." My wife bought this thing at a sex shop and I've not had sex (with her) in almost a year.
However, when one door closes another one opens up. THANK GOD!!
04/09/08 4:11 PM
____________________________________
LMAO Pete. You can thank Sex and the City for that. How's that working out?
G. COLE @ Apr 9th 2008 5:04PM
HEY 'MATTER OF TIME', I AGREE THAT ILLEGAL ALIENS ARE A PROBLEM, BUT JUST 'WHO' ARE THESE 'TRUE AMERICANS' YOU REFER TO. PEOPLE
CONTENT TO LIVE OFF WELFARE AND EAT ORIOS ALL DAY, OR THE PEOPLE STILL LIVING IN THE 80's
WAITING FOR PRODUCTION-LINE JOBS TO COME BACK,
OR IS IT THE TYPICAL OVER-SPENDING HOUSEWIFE
[OR HUSBAND] MAKING $60,000 A YEAR AND JUST CAN'T MAKE ENDS MEET BECAUSE OF THAT LOWDOWN PRESIDENT OF OURS?!
DON'T WORRY FOLKS, BARRACK AND OR HILLARY WILL MAKE ALL OUR DREAMS COME TRUE.
[FORGET THE FACT THEY ARE 'PROVEN' LIARS]
Vivi @ Apr 9th 2008 5:05PM
Pete: I knew you'd find someone. A man always does.
hele @ Apr 9th 2008 5:21PM
In a land of Robot's....people will pay, for touch...human touch and connections