Japan firms turn to robots as labour shortage bites

Tokyo

DESPERATE to overcome Japan's growing shortage of labour, mid-sized companies are planning to buy robots and other equipment to automate a wide range of tasks, including manufacturing, earth-moving and hotel-room service.

According to a Bank of Japan (BOJ) survey, companies with share capital of 100 million yen (S$1.23 million) to one billion yen plan to boost investment in the fiscal year that started in April by 17.5 per cent, the highest level on record.