Japan turns to robots to tackle labour shortage, stagnation

Tokyo

FACTORY worker Satomi Iwata has new co-workers, a troupe of humanoid automata that are helping to address two of Japan's most pressing concerns - a shortage of labour and a need for growth.

The 19 robots, which cost her employer Glory Ltd about 7.4 million yen (S$81,000) each, have eye-like sensors and two arms that assemble made-to-order change dispensers alongside their human colleagues in a factory employing 370.

"They aren't human, but it's as if I'm working with colleagues who do their work very well," said Mr Iwata, who has worked at the factory for four years.

Glory is in the vanguard as Japanese firms ramp up spending on robotics and automation, …