How many people with dementia wander off in Japan annually?

Last year, over 18,000 elderly individuals with dementia wandered off in Japan.

What are the projected costs of dementia in Japan?

Dementia-related costs in Japan are estimated to reach 14 trillion yen ($90 billion) by 2030.

What is Japan's strategy for addressing dementia?

Japan is increasingly pivoting towards technology to manage the growing dementia crisis and its associated costs.

Home / Health / Japan Dementia Crisis: 18,000 Lost, 500 Dead

Japan Dementia Crisis: 18,000 Lost, 500 Dead

7 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Over 18,000 elderly individuals with dementia wandered off in Japan last year.
The number of such cases has doubled since 2012.
Dementia care costs are projected to reach $90 billion by 2030.

Japan Dementia Crisis: 18,000 Lost, 500 Dead

Last year, Japan recorded over 18,000 instances of elderly individuals living with dementia wandering from their homes, a somber statistic with nearly 500 found deceased. This sharp increase, which has doubled since 2012, highlights a critical societal challenge.

The nation's aging population, combined with a diminishing workforce and strict immigration policies for care providers, exacerbates the strain. The government acknowledges dementia as a primary policy concern, with estimated costs soaring.

In response, Japan's government is intensifying its focus on technological innovations to alleviate the mounting pressures of dementia care. This strategic shift aims to provide new solutions for a rapidly aging society.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.