Japan's Dementia Crisis Deepens: Technology Offers Lifeline

Breaking News: Japan Faces Dementia Crisis, Technology Offers Hope Japan is grappling with a severe dementia crisis, with over 18,000 older people living with dementia going missing last year, and almost 500 later found dead. This alarming trend has doubled since 2012, with elderly people aged 65 and over now making up nearly 30% of the population, the second-highest proportion in the world after Monaco. The crisis is further exacerbated by a shrinking workforce and limited foreign workers to provide care. According to the Health Ministry, dementia-related health and social care costs will reach 14 trillion yen (90 billion; 67 billion) by 2030, a significant increase from 9 trillion yen in 2025. In response, the Japanese government has signaled a stronger pivot toward technology to ease the pressure. Scientists at Waseda University in Tokyo are developing caregiving robots to assist with dementia care, while some regions are adopting GPS-based systems to keep track of those who go missing. Wearable GPS tags are being offered, which can alert authorities the moment a person wanders off. The immediate impact of this crisis is being felt across Japan, with families and caregivers struggling to cope with the demands of dementia care. In response, the government has launched a series of initiatives to support caregivers and promote the use of technology in dementia care. The background context to this crisis is Japan's rapidly aging population, with the proportion of elderly people expected to continue rising in the coming years. The country's shrinking workforce and limited foreign workers to provide care have further exacerbated the crisis. As Japan looks to technology to ease the pressure, the development of caregiving robots and GPS-based systems is expected to play a key role in supporting caregivers and improving the lives of people living with dementia. The government's strategy is expected to be closely watched by other countries facing similar challenges, as Japan seeks to find innovative solutions to this complex and pressing issue.