Nishihara Yoko

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About

Nishihara Yoko is a researcher specializing in human-robot interaction and the integration of socially assistive technologies within eldercare settings. Her work sits at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and social science, with a particular focus on how robotic systems can be meaningfully embedded into real-world nursing care environments in Japan. Her most notable contribution, "Integrating Socially Assistive Robots into Japanese Nursing Care" (2020), has garnered significant attention within the field, accumulating over 30 citations across related publications. Through rigorous qualitative methodology — including semi-structured interviews and on-site observations conducted across three Japanese nursing homes — Nishihara examined firsthand experiences with robots such as Paro, Pepper, and Qoobo, offering nuanced insights into the practical and social dynamics of robot-assisted care. Her research is particularly valuable for its grounded, ethnographic approach, moving beyond laboratory settings to capture authentic interactions between caregivers, residents, and robotic companions. This work contributes meaningfully to ongoing global conversations about aging populations, workforce challenges in eldercare, and the ethical and human dimensions of deploying assistive technologies in sensitive care environments.