A new robot capable of producing 3,000 onigiri per hour was showcased this week at the FOOMA JAPAN exhibition in Chiba, Japan [1].
The technology arrives as Japan faces a critical labor shortage in food manufacturing. Automation is being positioned as a primary tool to maintain production levels while the workforce shrinks.
The event took place at the Makuhari Messe, where more than 1,000 companies from Japan and abroad participated [2]. The onigiri-making robot is designed to provide automated assistance in factories to alleviate the pressure on human workers [1].
Takahiro Sato, President of RoboFood Co., said automation technology will significantly improve factory productivity as labor shortages become more severe [1]. The high-speed output of 3,000 pieces per hour [1] demonstrates the potential for machines to replace repetitive manual tasks in the production of traditional rice balls.
Organizers described the exhibition as a critical hub for introducing the latest food manufacturing robotics to a global audience. Yuki Tanaka, FOOMA JAPAN Executive Director, said the event is important for introducing these advancements to both domestic and international companies [2].
The scale of the exhibition, featuring over 1,000 participating firms [2], highlights the industry's urgent shift toward robotics. By automating the shaping and assembly of onigiri, companies aim to reduce reliance on manual labor, and stabilize the food supply chain.
“A new robot capable of producing 3,000 onigiri per hour was showcased this week.”
The deployment of high-capacity food robotics reflects a broader Japanese economic strategy to counter a shrinking working-age population. By automating staple food production, the industry seeks to decouple economic output from labor availability, ensuring food security and industrial stability through technology rather than workforce expansion.
