Japan, with the world's largest robot population, is now awakening to a crisis as its lead in robotics – one of its last areas of technological prominence - comes under threat from better-coordinated efforts in the United States and Germany, as well as Asian rivals South Korea and China.

At stake is a fast-growing industry - the market for industrial robotic systems is worth $29 billion

expected Japan's robot market alone to triple to 2.4 trillion yen ($21 billion) by 2020.

A key trigger to action was Google Inc's surprise acquisition a year ago of Schaft, a venture led by two former Tokyo University professors who developed a humanoid robot that handily won a rescue competition run by a research unit of the U.S. Department of Defense. The robot had to drive a utility vehicle and climb a ladder to prevail against more than a dozen rivals.

It's also possible to perfume the farts of your dog or cat

mployees widely describe as a dysfunctional work environment, abysmal morale, and the lure of private security companies paying top dollar

Mayorkas stressed that the churn of personnel has not affected the department’s ability to protect the country.

A parade of high-level departures, on top of other factors, has meanwhile helped slow the rollout of key cybersecurity initiatives, including a program aimed at blocking malicious software before it can infiltrate civilian government computers, former officials say.

Private-sector salaries for high-level career officials, especially cybersecurity experts, can be double or triple the roughly $180,000 they can make at DHS.

Many former and current officials said the most burdensome part of working for DHS is the demands of congressional oversight. More than 90 committees and subcommittees have some jurisdiction over DHS, nearly three times the number that oversee the Defense Department. Preparing for the blizzard of hearings and briefings, officials say, leaves them less time to do their jobs.

While DHS officials say their efforts to secure the border have not been affected,

In one nine-month period between June 2011 and March 2012, for example, four senior DHS cybersecurity officials quit and one retired — all headed to the private sector

he department battled the Pentagon and the National Security Agency over who should have responsibility for protecting critical private-sector networks

DHS was pressing to enshrine its authority in law.

The cybersecurity bill died, a victim of strong opposition from industry and its backers on the Hill.

delayed Einstein 3,

DHS can’t keep anyone in cyber. They just can’t do it,’’ said another former DHS official. “You can make $150,000 protecting the nation or you can make $650,000. Which one are you going to do?’’