| A cat-themed robot with big blue eyes glances from side to side as it purrs across a Tokyo restaurant, searching for the customers who’d ordered strawberry parfaits covered in cream to go with a large, piping hot pizza. “Your order’s here,” the automated cat server says, arriving with a crisp 90-degree turn that lights up the faces of the patrons at the table. “Meow!” This isn’t a scene from Studio Ghibli’s latest animated fantasy — rather it’s an increasingly common sight at more than 2,000 restaurants operated across the country by Skylark Holdings Co., the nation’s largest table service restaurant chain. Skylark uses around 3,000 cat robots, which have 3D sensors, dozens of facial expressions and can carry heavy plates of food.  A cat-themed robot serves tables at Skylark’s restaurant in Tokyo. Photographer: Soichiro Koriyama/Bloomberg Faced with a severe labor shortage in one of the world’s most rapidly aging populations, service-sector businesses in Japan are increasingly investing in robots that don’t need expert supervision and can work alongside people, instead of simply replacing them. So-called service robots are also making it easier for firms to employ older or foreign workers — who are crucial to plugging the shortfall — by helping them overcome language barriers or cope with the physical demands of a role. While industrial robots have been around since the 1960s, service robots only emerged over the past two decades. They are generally cheaper than industrial robots and are often operated by people with no specialist knowledge. Service robots are also increasingly being used in Japan’s aged care sector, as the government projects a shortfall of 570,000 caregivers by fiscal 2040. One such device is “Hug,” a mobility support robot that helps get seated residents on their feet. 71-year-old Yasuko Tagawan, who works in one of Skylark’s restaurants in Tokyo, said she’s excited about working with more machines. “Maybe they can also help out in the kitchen,” she said, stroking one of the cat robots with a hint of affection. “Thanks for your hard work. I’ll be counting on you.” — Erica Yokoyama and Momoka Yokoyama, Bloomberg News Read more: Thousands of Cat-Eared Robots Are Waiting Tables in Japan’s Restaurants | 
