Japan Adopts Technology to Address Dementia Challenges Amid Aging Population
Last year in Japan, more than 18,000 older people with dementia went missing, with nearly 500 found dead. Police report that missing cases have doubled since 2012.
Japan's population aged 65 and older now accounts for about 30%, highlighting an aging society coupled with a shrinking workforce and tighter limits on foreign care workers.
Dementia-related health and social care costs are projected to reach 14 trillion yen (approximately $90 billion or £67 billion) by 2030, up from 9 trillion yen in 2025.
In response, the government is pivoting toward technology to relieve caregiving pressures. This includes nationwide GPS-based tracking for missing individuals and wearable tags with real-time alerts.
aiGait, a joint artificial intelligence tool developed by Fujitsu and Acer Medical, analyzes posture and walking to detect early signs of dementia to enable earlier intervention.
Researchers at Waseda University are developing AIREC, a 150kg humanoid caregiver robot, which may assist with tasks such as dressing and laundry, and plans to address nappies and bedsores in the future. The robot is expected to interact safely with patients in about five years.
Currently, robots in care homes play music, guide simple exercises, monitor patients at night via mattress sensors, and help reduce frequent human rounds.
Poketomo, a 12cm companion robot, supports patients by reminding them to take medications, providing weather updates, and offering conversation to combat social isolation, aiming to supplement human caregivers.
The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders in Sengawa, Tokyo exemplifies social interventions by engaging dementia patients with staff, emphasizing that social engagement and meaningful activity remain essential alongside technology.
