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The 2015 Japanese census laid out a frightening realization for the country: its population is shrinking. In just five years, between 2010 and 2015, Japan's population shrunk by almost 1 million. But while everyone is quick to blame so-called "parasite singles" or a lack of immigration, Toyota is looking for a solution. In October, the car manufacturer introduced the Kirobo Mini, a robot designed to form an emotional connection with a population that is getting older and not reproducing at a rate to sustain population numbers. Anthony and Jeff discuss whether robot babies are something want to own, and if it will actual propel people to have more human children.
GET BONUS EPISODES, VIDEO HANGOUTS AND MORE. VISIT: http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns
Get all your sweet We Have Concerns merch by swinging by http://wehaveconcerns.com/shop
Hey! If you’re enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen.
Here’s the iTunes link: http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns And here’s the Stitcher link: http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc
Jeff on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jeffcannata
Anthony on Twitter: http://twitter.com/acarboni
Today’s story was sent in by altsarc: http://mentalfloss.com/article/90266/japans-population-shrinks-robot-babies-are-gaining-popularity
If you’ve seen a story you think belongs on the show, send it to [email protected] or leave it on the subreddit:http://reddit.com/r/wehaveconcern
By Jeff Cannata/Anthony Carboni4.9
18811,881 ratings
The 2015 Japanese census laid out a frightening realization for the country: its population is shrinking. In just five years, between 2010 and 2015, Japan's population shrunk by almost 1 million. But while everyone is quick to blame so-called "parasite singles" or a lack of immigration, Toyota is looking for a solution. In October, the car manufacturer introduced the Kirobo Mini, a robot designed to form an emotional connection with a population that is getting older and not reproducing at a rate to sustain population numbers. Anthony and Jeff discuss whether robot babies are something want to own, and if it will actual propel people to have more human children.
GET BONUS EPISODES, VIDEO HANGOUTS AND MORE. VISIT: http://patreon.com/wehaveconcerns
Get all your sweet We Have Concerns merch by swinging by http://wehaveconcerns.com/shop
Hey! If you’re enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you use to listen.
Here’s the iTunes link: http://bit.ly/wehaveconcerns And here’s the Stitcher link: http://bit.ly/stitcherwhc
Jeff on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jeffcannata
Anthony on Twitter: http://twitter.com/acarboni
Today’s story was sent in by altsarc: http://mentalfloss.com/article/90266/japans-population-shrinks-robot-babies-are-gaining-popularity
If you’ve seen a story you think belongs on the show, send it to [email protected] or leave it on the subreddit:http://reddit.com/r/wehaveconcern

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