Automation is being widely adopted across multiple countries and industries worldwide, including Japan. However, the adoption of automation is not without its challenges. Let’s explore the reasons behind the resistance to automation in Japan and discuss how we can overcome these challenges to move towards an optimized future.
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Understanding the sources of resistance to change in Japan
To find the right solution, businesses must first focus on the underlying causes of the issue. Below are the key sources that are relevant to understanding these challenges.
Trust issues in effectiveness
Despite Japan’s reputation for technological advancement, there is a notable reluctance to adopt automation in service industries. Unlike the highly automated manufacturing sector, healthcare, retail, and other service-based areas lag in automation adoption. This hesitation may stem from a lack of trust in the effectiveness and reliability of current robotics solutions for these specific environments (Economist). Although, according to McKinsey, the offices of Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises are among the most inefficient in the developed world.
Trust issues in job displacement
Concerns about job displacement due to automation are not only in Japan, they are a global issue. Periods of economic hardship, with prevalent layoffs, further exacerbate this anxiety.
The potential for automation to replace even more roles amplifies fears among employees, creating a widespread sense of insecurity. In fact, according to McKinsey, automation could displace between 400 million and 800 million individuals globally by 2030, necessitating a large-scale shift as these workers seek new roles.
Aging workforce and skills gap
Japan’s aging population continues to set records, with the number of individuals over 65 reaching 36.25 million in 2024, an increase of 20,000 from the previous year. This highlights the country’s rapidly aging society (Kyodo News). This demographic trend presents unique challenges for the workforce. Older employees, who make up a significant portion of the labor force, may be less inclined to adopt or adapt to new technologies. Compounding the issue is the persistent shortage of digitally skilled personnel, which has been widely recognized as a major obstacle to effectively implementing automation in Japan.
Security concerns
Automation technologies, particularly those leveraging the IoT and IIoT, create new avenues for cyberattacks. Systems such as autonomous machines, digital financial advisors, and industrial control systems are vulnerable to exploitation if not properly secured. According to Cisco’s 2024 Cybersecurity Readiness Index, only 2% of organizations in Japan are classified as “Mature” in their cybersecurity readiness. Meanwhile, 58% fall into the “Formative” category, and 37% are categorized as “Beginner.” These figures highlight a significant gap in preparedness to address evolving cybersecurity threats, particularly as automation technologies become more deeply integrated into business operations. Bridging this gap will be critical to ensuring the safe and effective adoption of automation.
Strategies to overcome resistance to automation in Japan
With those challenges mentioned above, here are some strategies that Japanese businesses can take to be game-changers in automation!
Transparent communication
Providing a clear rationale for automation is essential, organizations should transparently explain the reasons behind its implementation while addressing employees’ concerns about job security and role changes with empathy. Highlighting how automation can reduce repetitive tasks and allow employees to focus on more creative and strategic work can help alleviate fears Regular updates through channels like town halls, webinars, and newsletters can also play a key role. These updates should provide insights into the automation process, its benefits, and its progress, creating a two-way dialogue that fosters trust, collaboration, and employee involvement (Omnitas).
Address employee concerns
Conducting one-on-one conversations with employees allows management to understand specific worries about automation and tailor responses to individual needs. This personalized approach not only alleviates concerns but also demonstrates the organization’s commitment to supporting its workforce during the transition. Additionally, involving employees early in the process, such as in the selection of automation tools or refining strategies through focus groups, makes a sense of ownership and increases buy-in. The company should create feedback loops. This is for further empower employees, ensuring that their perspectives are valued and considered throughout the implementation process.
Monitor and evaluate the outcomes
Companies should not only track employee satisfaction data but also measure and monitor the performance quality and impact of automation, comparing these results against pre-defined goals and key performance indicators. By doing so, businesses can identify any gaps or areas for improvement, addressing potential issues or challenges that may hinder the adoption or acceptance of automation solutions. (LinkedIn Advice)
Selecting an experienced vendor
With 65% of IT decision-makers acknowledging that the purchasing process for technology products and services has become increasingly complex, vendors have emerged as a key source of advice (Foundry). This highlights that companies now view vendors not only as solution providers but also as strategic partners. Businesses should prioritize solution providers that offer comprehensive tools and support throughout the entire implementation phase.
Leading companies in the market, such as Panasonic ITs, ABB, and Mizuho, have chosen to partner with akaBot due to its advanced technology, which integrates RPA with AI, ML, and OCR. Additionally, akaBot’s experienced team, having worked with clients across 20 countries and in 8 different industries, provides a proven track record of success. With its fast-to-mass methodology, akaBot enables businesses to implement automation solutions quickly, efficiently, and effectively, ensuring a seamless transition towards digital transformation.
Next Step
With technology evolving daily, businesses must continuously upgrade themselves to stay ahead in this fierce race for innovation. In this journey, automation is undeniably a technology that cannot be overlooked. As companies strive to optimize their operations, adopting automation solutions becomes essential to streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance efficiency.
Contact us now to get ready for the automation change!
akaBot (FPT) is the operation optimization solution for enterprises based on the RPA (Robotic Process Automation) platform combined with Artificial Intelligence, Process Mining, OCR, Intelligent Document Processing, Machine Learning, Conversational AI, etc. Serving clients in 21+ countries, across 08 domains such as Banking & Finances, Retail, IT Services, Manufacturing, and Logistics…, akaBot is featured in “Voice of the Customer” for Robotics Process Automation” by Gartner Peer Insights, G2, and ranked as Top 6 Global RPA Platform by Software Reviews. akaBot also won the prestigious Stevie Award, The Asian Banker Award 2021, Everest Group’s RPA Products PEAK Matrix® 2023, etc.
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