Japan worker shortage has only one winner so far: robots

Leo Lewis for Financial Times:  Earlier this week, Japanese TV audiences glimpsed a potentially revolutionary contraption from the Matsue College of Technology that rapidly separates closed shijimi clamshells into those with a live mollusc inside and those without.
Cut to footage of a human sorter, expertly performing the same function at a rate of just 90 kgs of shijimi per day and whose job this machine seems destined to replace. In other parts of the world, the juxtaposition could seem cruel or politically charged; in Japan, it is almost celebratory.  The great conundrum for investors — and increasing preoccupation of sellside analysts attempting to talk clients out of underweight Japan positions — is whether the equity market provides a neat play on Japan’s deepening worker shortage and the promised surge in wages that has to date been all gong and no dinner.  Cont'd...

Comments (0)

This post does not have any comments. Be the first to leave a comment below.


Post A Comment

You must be logged in before you can post a comment. Login now.

Featured Product

JCO Series: NVIDIA Jetson Rugged AI Edge Computers

JCO Series: NVIDIA Jetson Rugged AI Edge Computers

The JCO Series is a line of NVIDIA Jetson rugged AI edge computers. Unlike standard CPUs, the JCO series employs NVIDIA Jetson-Orin modules, introducing an ARM-based SOM (System-on-Module) architecture with CPU, GPU, and RAM on the same module. This integration brings about significant AI performance right to the edge, coupled with a rugged, fanless design suitable for enduring extreme environments. This series highlights low power consumption (7-60 watts) yet delivers high AI performance up to 275 TOPS, a feat difficult for typical x86 solutions to match. The integration of customizable EDGEBoost IO technology and out-of-band remote management features ensures advanced connectivity and maintenance capabilities, solidifying the JCO Series as an essential solution for mission-critical deployments such as AGV & AMRs, security & surveillance, industrial automation, and industrial IoT. With UL listed, E-Mark, FCC, and CE certifications, the JCO Series meets the highest industry standards for ultimate safety and reliability.