“Maybe the Japanese should buy or at least rent the German ones. Stupid.”
For the Japanese it’s better to let a nuclear reactor go critical, pollute the environment, and kill people than be forced to lose face over having to borrow, rent or buy robotic technology that could stop the problem.
The reasons why Japan hasn’t developed robotic technology to deal with this situation is because they didn’t think this situation would happen and most of their development has been geared toward getting ready for the Baby Boomers to retire since there aren’t enough Japanese to take care of the elderly. Plus, you don’t have to pay a robot to take care of the elderly.
I know. Sad. They want the Asimo (Honda) robot to help old people or the automaton female for men. It is a real shame.