Suranjana Tiwari

In a lab at Tokyo's Waseda University, half a dozen humanoid robots are being tested to perform various tasks.

The idea is that they'll become future caregivers for those seeing a decline in capabilities and to solve a chronic shortage of care workers.

IREC is a 150kg humanoid robot that can already handle several tasks, from nursing care like changing positions and putting on socks, to daily housework like scrambling eggs and folding laundry.

Assistant Professor Tamon Miyake says developing such robots takes incredible precision.

But robots like IREC are still prototypes.

Researchers here say it may take another five years before they can provide physical care.

Here's Tamon Miyake again.

Tech companies are also developing new ways to screen for dementia, including one tool from Fujitsu.

A camera films a person moving and then AI analyzes their posture and gait.

Changes in how a person moves, like shuffling while walking, slowing down or difficulty in turning, can be some of the earliest signs of dementia.

AI-GATE analyzes posture and movement using skeleton recognition.

It's non-invasive and easy to deploy in clinical settings.

Hidenori Fujiwara from Fujitsu explains why the technology is so useful.

Developers are also turning to robotics for emotional support, including one that looks like a teddy bear.

Sharp's tiny robot is called Pokitomo.

At just 12 centimetres tall, it can fit in your hand or hang on your bag, and yet it's smart enough to listen and remember.

In the years ahead, Japan faces major pressures, a shrinking workforce and rising social care costs.

Innovations may not replace humans just yet, but they could help ease stretched resources and ensure older people stay active and engaged for longer.

This is quite the about turn.

President Donald Trump saying in a post on Truth Social that he was increasing tariffs on South Korean imports into the U.S.