Rehabilitation Robots for Neurorehabilitation in High-, Low-, and Middle-Income Countries: Current Practice, Barriers, and Future Directions - Chapter 10: Asia-Pacific region: Japan

In Japan, the aging of the population is progressing at a rapid pace. About 1 in 2.6 people will be 65 years old or older, and about 1 in 3.9 people will be 75 years old or older, by 2065. This is an urgent issue, especially in the fields of medicine and welfare. With the aging of the population, the possibility of physical disabilities increases, the quality of life often declines due to conditions that cause disability, and medical and nursing care costs also increase. In Japan, robotics research is flourishing, various human assistive robots have been developed, and it is expected that these robots and other cutting-edge technologies will be utilized so that people with disabilities can lead functional lives. In Japan, most of the physical disabilities are caused by strokes. In this chapter, we first introduce the statistics of stroke, and the healthcare structure for stroke rehabilitation in Japan such as stroke care unit, Kaifukuki (Convalescent) Rehabilitation Ward (KRW), and community-based rehabilitation. We next introduce the guidelines for stroke treatment in Japan and rehabilitation using robotics and mechatronics technologies. Although they are promising approaches, we discuss hurdles for the commercialization of these technologies. In addition, we will explain how COVID-19 has changed stroke rehabilitation in Japan and the possibility of telerehabilitation using robotic technology and digitization of therapists’ skills. Finally, we explain the future trends of medical care and welfare in Japan such as the community-based integrated care system and telemedicine/telecare including telerehabilitation. Furthermore, we explain the future possibilities of robots for care support and rehabilitation and introduce a Moonshot R&D Program in Japan, in which the authors are developing a collective of shared AI robots that can be used by anyone, at any time, and that provide appropriate services in nursing care and rehabilitation.