The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between work environment and moral sensitivity among Japanese (n = 138) and Norwegian nurses (n = 71), and to compare the results from a sociocultural perspective using a descriptive-correlational design. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results point to a significant relationship between work environment and moral sensitivity for both groups of nurses. In comparison, the Japanese nurses were more focused on 'patient centered oriented care', reported 'work engagement', seeking 'meaning in difficult caring situations' and 'following rules'. In addition, they ranked the factor 'values in action of patient care' as significant and 'relation to superior and colleagues' and 'job stress and anxiety' ranked significant to 'moral conflicts'. The Norwegian nurses were more independent, which was correlated with moderate significance with 'job stress and anxiety'. A significant correlation was found between 'physical and mental symptoms' and 'moral conflicts' among Norwegian nurses.

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We propose a playmate robot system that can play with a child. Unlike many therapeutic service robots, our proposed playmate system is implemented as a functionality of the domestic service robot with a high degree of freedom. This implies that the robot can play high-level games with children, i.e., beyond therapeutic play, using its physical features. The proposed system currently consists of ten play modules, including a chatbot with eye contact, card playing, and drawing. The algorithms of these modules are briefly discussed in this paper. To sustain the player's interest in the system, we also propose an action-selection strategy based on a transition model of the child's mental state. The robot can estimate the child's state and select an appropriate action in the course of play. A portion of the proposed algorithms was implemented on a real robot platform, and experiments were carried out to design and evaluate the proposed system.

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There has been many problems in situations surrounding children such as child neglect, deterioration in the quality of play, etc. We believe that robotic playmates would greatly help to solve these problems. In this paper we propose a playmate robot system that can play with a child. Unlike many therapeutic service robots, our proposed playmate system is implemented as a functionality of the domestic service robot with a high degree-of-freedom. This means that the robot can play with children at a high level, i.e., beyond a therapeutic effect, using its physical features. To sustain the player's interest in the system, we also propose an action selection strategy based on a transition model of the child's mental state. The robot can estimate the child's state and select an appropriate action in the course of play. Part of the proposed algorithms was implemented on a real robot platform, and experiments were carried out to design and evaluate the proposed system.