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Japanese scientists push for AI use in medical research and diagnoses

A Maholo humanoid robot carries out a series of tasks at the Institute of Science Tokyo's Robotics Innovation Center, during the center's opening last month.

A Maholo humanoid robot carries out a series of tasks at the Institute of Science Tokyo's Robotics Innovation Center, during the center's opening last month. | TOMOKO OTAKE

By Tomoko Otake
STAFF WRITER

May 4, 2026

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work across industries. Medicine is no exception.

Two recent developments in Japan show how technology could help the nation cope with a shortage of talent in the fields of science and medical research.

Some researchers have launched an effort to deploy AI-powered robots to carry out complex wet-lab experiments, which could free staff from time-consuming, repetitive work.

An Amazon Web Services data center in Ashburn, Virginia. Large artificial intelligence systems run on massive amounts of energy and are trained on nearly all the text humanity has created.

Sustainability has left the AI chat

Jerome Silla

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Projects like the BuddhaBot aim to re-create dialogue once lost to time, raising questions about whether AI can extend the teachings of Buddha or merely simulate them.

Can AI replace a priest? Japan’s temples and shrines are testing the limits.

By Alex K.T. Martin

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