Positioning of robotics by the G7 and others in addressing aging and caregiving challenges

「The Group aims to realize "Society 5.0/5.1," a future society in which people and technology coexist, by advancing Society 5.0, the super-smart society in which the information and physical spaces are fused, one step further. Using cybernetics, the Group seeks to establish a new vision centered on people and to reconstruct and evolve society through the fusion of people and the cyber-physical space, namely, "people" + "cyber-physical space."」

「Japan's Fifth Science and Technology Basic Plan calls for the promotion of "Society 5.0," a concept for a new super-smart society led by science, technology and innovation. Society 5.0 is a human-centered society that solves economic and social issues and enables people to lead high-quality lives through the fusion of cyberspace and physical space. R&D into the real-world implementation of AI (artificial intelligence), IoT (the Internet of Things) and other technologies, R&D into assistive robots and other technologies for the safe and secure lives of older people and people with disabilities, and R&D into support technologies that promote the independence of people requiring assistance and enable the effective delivery of nursing and caregiving services are designated as priority fields.」

「By harnessing innovative cybernic technologies, the Group will further accelerate its research and development and business expansion, seek to resolve the challenges facing society while establishing an economic cycle, pursue the cybernic revolution through social and industrial transformation in the healthcare, nursing and welfare, and daily-life sectors, and continue to lead efforts to realize Society 5.0.」

「In Japan, the Fifth Science and Technology Basic Plan, approved by the Cabinet on 22 January 2016, called for the strong promotion of the new concept of "Society 5.0," a human-centered society that solves economic and social issues and enables people to lead high-quality lives through the fusion of cyberspace and physical space.」

「In Japan, the Fifth Science and Technology Basic Plan, approved by the Cabinet on 22 January 2016, called for the strong promotion of the new concept of "Society 5.0," a human-centered society that solves economic and social issues and enables people to lead high-quality lives through the fusion of cyberspace and physical space. In response, the Comprehensive Strategy on Science, Technology and Innovation 2016, approved by the Cabinet on 24 May 2016, identified R&D into assistive robots and other technologies for the safe and secure lives of older people and people with disabilities, as well as R&D into support technologies that promote the independence of people requiring assistance and enable the effective delivery of nursing and caregiving services, as priority initiatives for deepening and promoting Society 5.0.」

「The joint statement adopted on the final day, the 17th, known as the "Tsukuba Communiqué," emphasizes the importance of science-based innovation as the G7 countries and many emerging economies face rapidly aging societies. This includes building social systems that enable older people to age in good health and receive high-quality care. It also expresses a commitment to using robotics to improve the welfare and quality of life of older people and reduce the burden on caregivers, and to integrating social science research with medical care, ICT and robot assistance to reduce the burden on families and society.」