Japan is facing a dementia crisis – can technology help?

Last year, more than 18,000 elderly people with dementia left their homes and became homeless in Japan. Nearly 500 people were later found dead.

Police say such cases have doubled since 2012, underscoring growing pressure on the world’s oldest society.

A shrinking workforce and tight restrictions on foreign workers coming to provide care have further exacerbated the crisis.

The Japanese government has identified dementia as one of its most pressing policy challenges, with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare estimating that dementia-related health and social care costs will reach 14 trillion yen ($90 billion; £67 billion) by 2030, compared with 9 trillion yen in 2025.

In its latest strategy, the government said it would turn more firmly to technology to ease pressure.

Across the country, GPS-based systems are being adopted to track those who wander.

Some areas offer wearable GPS tags that can alert authorities when a person leaves a designated area.

In some towns, convenience store workers receive real-time notifications — a kind of community safety net that can locate missing people within hours.

Other technologies aim to detect dementia earlier.

Fujitsu’s aiGait uses artificial intelligence to analyze posture and walking patterns to spot early signs of dementia — shuffling when walking, turning slower, or difficulty standing — to generate skeletal outlines that clinicians can view during routine exams.

“Early detection of age-related diseases is key,” said Fujitsu spokesman Hidenori Fujiwara. “If doctors can use motion capture data, they can intervene earlier and help people stay active longer.”

Meanwhile, researchers at Waseda University are developing AIREC, a 150kg humanoid robot designed to be a “future” caregiver.

It helps people put on socks, scramble eggs and fold laundry. Scientists at Waseda University hope that in the future AIREC will be able to change patients’ diapers and prevent bedsores.

Similar robots are already being used in nursing homes to play music for residents or guide them through simple stretches.

They also monitor patients at night — placing them under mattresses to track sleep and conditions — and reduce the need for staff to make rounds.

Although humanoid robots are being developed for the near future, Assistant Professor Tamon Miyake said the level of precision and intelligence required to safely interact with humans will take at least five years.

“It requires whole-body awareness and adaptive understanding—how to adjust for each individual person and situation,” he said.

Emotional support is also part of the innovation drive.

Poketomo is a 12cm tall robot that can be carried around in a bag or placed in a pocket. It reminds users to take their medication, tells you how to prepare for the weather outside in real time, and provides conversations for people who live alone, which its creators say can help ease social isolation.

Sharp development manager Miho Kagei told the BBC: “We focus on social issues… and use new technologies to help solve them.”

While devices and robots offer new ways to assist, human connection remains irreplaceable.

“Robots should complement, not replace, human caregivers,” said Mr. Miyake, a scientist at Waseda University. “While they may take over some tasks, their main role is to assist caregivers and patients.”

People flock to the Wrong Order restaurant in Tokyo’s Senkawa, founded by Akiko Kanna, to cater to people with dementia.

Inspired by her father’s experience dealing with the disease, Ms. Khanna wanted a place where people could stay engaged and feel purposeful.

Toshio Morita, one of the cafe’s waiters, uses flowers to remember which table ordered what.

Despite Mr. Morita’s cognitive decline, he enjoyed the interaction. For his wife, the cafe provides respite and helps him stay busy.

Kanna’s café illustrates why social intervention and community support remain vital. Technology can provide tools and relieve stress, but meaningful engagement and relationships are what truly sustain people with dementia.

“Honestly? I want a little pocket money. I like meeting all kinds of people,” Mr. Morita said. “Everyone is different – ​​that’s the fun of it.”