Co-Constructing Everyday Automation in Japan: Institutional Misalignment in a Sociotechnical Transformation

As Japan aims to address demographically induced labor shortages by increased automation and innovation, the rising implementation of everyday technologies, such as self-checkout systems, presents an opportunity to test to what extent the national image of Japan as a technological leader holds true. Assessing whether the actions of various stakeholders involved in innovation implementation are aligned, this paper argues that while political visions, academic reflections, and industrial processes superficially converge, they are far less coherent than the national narrative suggests. The paper uncovers substantial institutional misalignment and investigates how automation innovation is co-constructed. Drawing on 19 expert interviews with policymakers, academic researchers, and producers of self-checkout machines, the study applies Social Practice Theory to analyze how stakeholders interpret the intentions, consequences, and practical pathways of automation innovation. Findings reveal that although all players frame automation innovation as necessary, their approaches towards its implementation diverge. Policymakers emphasize inclusivity and coordination through digital transformation; academic experts reflect on the importance of social impact and interpersonal connections; and producers prioritize efficiency and usability. These misalignments result in a fragmented rather than a coordinated transformation, which poses significant barriers to sustained innovation implementation and limit opportunities for coordinated learning across sectors. The study highlights that misalignment is not merely a governance issue but a sociotechnical one with further implications for individuals. Japan’s innovation pathway would thus benefit from cross-sector mechanisms that support ongoing reflexive exchange, participatory experimentation, and collaborative standard-setting. This work contributes to debates on automation and innovation governance, institutional coordination, and the social embedding of technology in aging societies.