Only then will Japan's food production become competitive and its notoriously high costs fall.

WSJ: Review & Outlook: Mr. Abe's 'Third Arrow'

But its bid to automate swaths of the production process in the coming decade faces obstacles including high costs and rapid changes in technology.

WSJ: Hon Hai Confirms Employee Deaths

But its bid to automate swaths of the production process in the coming decade has been facing obstacles including high costs and rapid changes in technology.

WSJ: Hon Hai Confirms Employee Deaths