Japan turns to new technology as dementia cases surge

Japan is grappling with a fast-growing dementia crisis as thousands of older people wander from their homes each year.

Police data shows that more than 18,000 dementia patients went missing in 2023, and almost 500 were later found dead.

The number of such cases has doubled since 2012, highlighting the strain on a rapidly ageing society.

The challenge is deepened by a shrinking workforce and strict limits on foreign caregivers. The government now considers dementia one of its most urgent policy priorities. The Health Ministry projects that dementia-related healthcare and social support costs will reach 14 trillion yen by 2030, up from nine trillion yen in 2025.

In its latest strategy, Japan is leaning more heavily on technology to reduce pressure on families and care facilities. GPS-based systems are being used nationwide to track people who wander, and some areas provide wearable tags that alert authorities when someone leaves a safe zone. In certain towns, convenience-store workers receive real-time alerts to help locate missing people quickly, creating a community-wide safety network.

Robots and AI for earlier detection and support

New tools are also being developed to detect dementia earlier. Fujitsu's aiGait uses artificial intelligence to study posture and walking patterns to identify early warning signs, such as slow turns or difficulty standing. The system generates skeletal outlines that doctors can check during routine exams. "Early detection of age-related diseases is key," says Hidenori Fujiwara, a Fujitsu spokesperson. "If doctors can use motion-capture data, they can intervene earlier and help people remain active for longer."

Researchers at Waseda University are working on AIREC, a 150kg humanoid robot designed as a future caregiver. It can help with simple daily tasks such as putting on socks, scrambling eggs or folding laundry. Developers hope that, eventually, AIREC will assist with changing diapers and preventing bedsores. Care homes in Japan are already using simpler robots to play music, lead stretching exercises and monitor patients at night by tracking sleep and physical condition.

However, humanoid robots will take more time to reach full reliability. Assistant Professor Tamon Miyake says more precision and intelligence are needed before they can interact safely with humans. "It requires full-body sensing and adaptive understanding - how to adjust for each person and situation," he says.

Emotional support tools are also part of the innovation push. Poketomo, a 12cm robot carried in a pocket or bag, reminds users to take medicine, gives real-time weather advice and offers conversation to help ease loneliness. "We're focusing on social issues... and to use new technology to help solve those problems," Miho Kagei, a development manager at Sharp, told the BBC.

Human care remains central

Despite rapid advances, researchers stress that technology cannot replace human interaction. "Robots should supplement, not substitute, human caregivers," Mr Miyake says. "While they may take over some tasks, their main role is to assist both caregivers and patients."

At the Restaurant of Mistaken Orders in Sengawa, Tokyo, customers are served by people living with dementia. Founder Akiko Kanna created the café to give patients a place to stay active and feel valued, inspired by her father's experience with the condition.

One of the servers, Toshio Morita, uses flowers to remember customer orders. Although his memory has declined, he enjoys connecting with visitors, and the café offers his wife much-needed respite. The restaurant shows why social interaction remains vital. Technology can ease workloads, but meaningful engagement continues to be essential for people with dementia.

"Honestly? I wanted a little pocket money. I like meeting all sorts of people," Mr Morita says. "Everyone's different - that's what makes it fun."