A policy overview of Japan's progress on dementia care in a super-aged society and future challenges

Abstract

Dementia is highly prevalent in Japan, a super-aged society where almost a third of the population is above 65 years old. Japan has been implementing ageing and dementia policies since 2000 and now has a wealth of experience to share with other nations who are anticipating a similar future regarding dementia. This article focuses on the 2019 National Framework for Promotion of Dementia Policies that, based on its philosophy of Inclusion and Risk Reduction, lays out five complementary strategies. Together, these five strategies encourage a whole of society approach in dementia care. We first elaborate on the activities being undertaken under each of these strategies and then discuss the future challenges that Japan needs to address. These policy and social innovations spearheaded by Japan can be useful information for other countries that are anticipating similar future as Japan.

Keywords: Japan; dementia; policy; social innovation.

Figure 1.

Team Orange activities. Source: Reference ().

Figure 2.

Different ways Kayoinoba helps to delay the onset of dementia. Source: Reference ().

Figure 3.

A model of the collaborative care between community support groups, primary care doctors and long-term care support specialist. Source: Reference ().