Papers
6
Total Citations
162
H-Index
4
About
James D. Wright is a leading scholar at the intersection of aging societies, care labor, and robotics, with a particular focus on Japan and comparative international policy. His research examines how governments and institutions respond to the profound demographic challenges posed by aging populations, exploring the contested terrain between technological solutions and human labor in eldercare settings. Wright's most influential work, "Tactile Care, Mechanical Hugs" (2018, 67 citations), offers an ethnographically rich account of care robot implementation in Japanese nursing homes, revealing the complex human dimensions of automation in intimate care environments. His follow-up study challenging the "robots versus migrants" framing of Japan's care labor shortage (2019, 59 citations) has been widely cited for reframing policy debates around eldercare futures. His 2023 book, *Robots Won't Save Japan*, synthesizes years of ethnographic fieldwork to critically interrogate government-led robot development initiatives, arguing against technological determinism in care policy. More recently, Wright has expanded his comparative lens to include South Korea and the European Union, establishing himself as a genuinely global voice in care robotics scholarship. With nearly 160 citations across his key publications, his work is essential reading for researchers navigating the politics of aging, care, and automation.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 4Robots Won't Save Japan9 citations · 2023
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