Japanese convenience store addresses labor shortage with futuristic avatars

According to The Asahi Shimbun, to address a growing labor shortage, major convenience store chain Lawson Inc. is introducing a technology that enables remote workers to serve customers using animated avatars.
Sitting in front of computer screens at their homes or offices, workers act as Lawson Avatar Operators (LAOs) to serve customers.
LAOs talk to webcams and their voices and gestures will be reflected on animated characters on screens at Lawson outlets.

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14981680