Japan is facing an escalating crisis as the number of older people living with dementia who wander from home rises sharply. Last year, more than 18,000 individuals went missing, with nearly 500 later found dead, according to police data. The figures have doubled since 2012, highlighting the strain on the country’s aging society and limited caregiving workforce. Restrictions on foreign workers have compounded the challenge.
The Japanese government has identified dementia as a pressing policy concern. The Health Ministry projects that dementia-related health and social care costs will climb from nine trillion yen ($58 billion) in 2025 to 14 trillion yen ($90 billion) by 2030. In response, authorities are increasingly turning to technology to ease pressures on caregivers and families.
Across the country, GPS-based tracking systems are being adopted to monitor people with dementia who may wander. Wearable tags can alert authorities if someone leaves a designated area, and in some towns, convenience store workers receive real-time notifications, helping locate missing individuals within hours.
Technology is also being used to detect dementia at earlier stages. Fujitsu has developed aiGait, which uses artificial intelligence to analyse posture and walking patterns for early signs of the condition. “Early detection of age-related diseases is key,” said Hidenori Fujiwara, a Fujitsu spokesperson. “If doctors can use motion-capture data, they can intervene earlier and help people remain active for longer.”
Humanoid robots are another emerging solution. Researchers at Waseda University are developing AIREC, a 150-kilogram robot designed to assist with daily tasks such as putting on socks, cooking, and folding laundry. In the future, scientists hope AIREC can perform more complex caregiving functions, including preventing bedsores. Similar robots are already used in care homes to play music, guide stretching exercises, and monitor patients overnight.
Assistant Professor Tamon Miyake of Waseda University cautioned that robots capable of fully interacting with humans safely may take at least five years to develop, as they require full-body sensing and adaptive understanding. Smaller devices, such as Sharp’s Poketomo robot, offer emotional and social support, reminding users to take medication, providing weather updates, and offering conversation to reduce isolation.
Despite these innovations, experts stress the importance of human connection. “Robots should supplement, not substitute, human caregivers,” Miyake said. Social engagement remains critical to quality of life. In Sengawa, Tokyo, the Restaurant of Mistaken Orders employs people with dementia, allowing them to remain active and engaged. Toshio Morita, a café server, uses flowers to remember orders while enjoying daily interactions.
The café exemplifies why combining technology with community support can make a meaningful difference for people living with dementia. While AI and robotics provide tools to ease caregiving pressures, maintaining human contact and purposeful engagement remains essential for wellbeing.
“Honestly? I wanted a little pocket money. I like meeting all sorts of people,” Morita said. “Everyone’s different—that’s what makes it fun.”
