NYT
Can Robots Save Japan’s Aging Cherry Blossom Farmers?
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Robots named Monster Wolf and Pochi have been deployed in a northern Japanese region to scare away bears and transport cherry blossoms, according to reporting on the initiative. The region has experienced labor shortages as many cherry blossom farmers are in their 70s or older. The deployment addresses both wildlife management and workforce challenges in the area's fruit production.
