Ageing societies increase the need for nurses and healthcare workers. Japan is one country facing staffing shortages due to low wages and the physical strains that the job requires. How Japan is using robotics to assist in hospitals and healthcare.

Japan is facing a number of problems caused by its fast aging society. Shortage of nurses and care workers has long been a problem addressed for decades.

Some are forced to leave their jobs to take care of family members, stress and fatigue from nursing is one of the biggest social problems Japan now face.

To relieve this problem, Japan is looking into robotics for help. Communication robot Palro is one such robot. Already introduced to many elderly homes.It is able to have simple conversation and an entertainment programs is installed, which people can enjoy the interactions. Many of the elderlies are hesitant in communicating with the staff. Worried of bothering already busy care workers.

"When we hold a recreation sessions, we are too focused with the exercises that we can see the conditions of individuals. If these robots can take do its part, we are able to observe the patients and assess the health condition of the individual. It helps us very much," Nobuo Mamiya, manager with Special Elderly Nursing Home Fuyouen, said.

Healing pet robot is also used in this facility. Where this baby seal reacts to voices from the user and make body of facial expressions. It is said to relieve stress and helps people too shay to mingle.

Low wages. Long hours, late nights and physical burden are reasons behind the shortage of nurses. Lifting patients from bed to a wheel chair can be hectic. Robotics has the solution. Power assisting suits are already being used in airports and elderly homes

To reduce the burden of care workers robotic plays an important role, such as this integrated care bed which will turn into a wheel chair, it will save a burden of lifting a person from one to the other.

We are looking to reduce physical burden for the care workers from repeatedly lifting people everyday. We also want this to help the elderlies. Prevent them from being bedridden. If they are able to leave their beds easily, they can mingle with the others and remain active.

It might not be long until we see scenes like this, where robots take active role in hospitals. Distributing food and medicines to designated locations.

Experts say with the fast ageing society. Faster development and practical use of these kinds of robots is essential