Older workers use an exoskeleton to help with lifting Courtesy of Daigo Orihara

Older people in Japan are strapping on exoskeletons to help meet the physical demands of their jobs and remain in the workforce longer.

Japan’s population is rapidly ageing, with a record 28 per cent of people aged 65 or older. This has led to a shortage of workers, particularly in manual labour industries such as construction, manufacturing and farming.

To encourage older people to stay in or move into these industries, several tech companies in Japan have developed exoskeleton suits that make it easier to lift …