Ceiling Work That Once Required Two Workers Now Handled by Robots... Japanese Construction Firms Deploy Automation

Japan Turns to Robots and AI to Overcome Labor Shortages at Construction Sites
From Ceiling Finishing Robots to Unmanned Bulldozers
Boosting Efficiency and Reducing Workforce Amid Labor Shortage and Aging Population

Japan's construction industry, facing labor shortages and an aging workforce, is accelerating efforts to boost productivity and reduce labor burden through the adoption of robots and the automation of work processes.

Image created with generative AI to aid understanding of the article. ChatGPT

Kajima Corporation, a major construction company, recently developed an automatic ceiling finishing robot for office building construction, according to a June 26 report by Yonhap News citing Yomiuri Shimbun and other sources.

Previously, this task required at least two workers to operate, but now a single robot operator can handle the process using a dedicated tablet PC.

Once the operator designates the work area on the tablet, the robot moves autonomously to the correct position and automatically applies ceiling finishing materials one by one, significantly reducing work time.

Kajima Corporation has also developed a mobile work platform that can move with workers aboard via remote control. In traditional ceiling construction, fixed scaffolds had to be densely installed so that workers could reach high places, but with the mobile platform, the number of scaffolds required can be significantly reduced, resulting in expected savings in material costs.

Other major construction companies are also actively pursuing automation. Shimizu Corporation has developed an unmanned bulldozer equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) that can perceive its surroundings and move autonomously, and is planning to roll it out at construction sites later this year.

Taisei Corporation and Takenaka Corporation are conducting pilot operations of quadruped robots that collect information through cameras, replacing on-site supervisors.

The adoption of these technologies is a response to severe labor shortages and the aging workforce.

According to Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of people employed in Japan's construction sector in 2025 is projected to be 4.78 million, which is about a 30% decrease from its 1997 peak of 6.85 million. In particular, people aged 60 or older account for 25% of the total, while those under 30 make up just over 10%, highlighting the seriousness of the aging issue.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan is also promoting the automation of government-commissioned construction projects, aiming to reduce the workforce by 30% and increase productivity by 1.5 times compared to 2023 by the year 2040.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.