As Japan aims to address labor shortages, automation and the implementation of everyday technologies, such as self-checkout cashiers, can be increasingly observed. This presents an opportunity to test if the self-image of Japan as a technological leader holds true, and to examine how political ambitions impact individuals’ daily lives. The talk first explores the macro level by drawing on expert interviews with policymakers, researchers, and producers of self-checkout systems to analyze how these actors conceptualize the role of everyday automation. The talk then turns to the micro level and examines how self-checkout machines are experienced by individuals in daily life. By linking institutional perspectives with lived experiences, the presentation highlights how continuing automation reconfigures everyday practices and social interaction. It demonstrates how sociotechnical transformations unfold across contexts, offering insights for Science and Technology Studies and policy debates in ageing societies. Details and registration here