Japan targets 10 million AI robots by 2040 as population falls

Japan’s government wants 10 million artificial intelligence-powered robots in workplaces before 2040, hoping they can help offset a shrinking workforce. United Nations medium-variant estimates put the country’s population at 112,158,304 in 2040, down 6.2% from 119,584,122 in 2030. The median age is projected to reach 54.0 years; 35.3% of people would be at least 65, while 10.4% would be under 15.

Hospitals and factories already struggle to fill jobs. Tokyo startup Zeals introduced its wheeled humanoid robot D1, priced from 5 million yen (about $32,000). The indoor unit is 129 cm tall, recognizes faces with a camera and has two arms, each able to lift up to 5 kg. Zeals aims to build 100 units by March 2027 and log 10,000 hours of operation. It makes its own software and buys components from American and Chinese suppliers, though it hopes eventually to use only Japanese parts.

A hospital in Nagoya trialed D1 in late August 2026 to guide visitors and clear tables. Zeals CEO Masahiro Shimizu said gathering training data and checking real-world usefulness were important.

In April 2027, Nagano firm Kakuichi plans to bring Chinese-built humanoid Miyazawa Noah into its new-graduate intake. Play Robotics is helping install and operate it. Kakuichi plans to assign it to manufacturing, sales and other departments.

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance is working with Zeals on policies for D1 users and recognizes potential physical and cyber risks. The insurer also bought shares in a Japanese physical-AI developer in July. The robots’ performance and economic impact remain uncertain.