(Webinar) Global Expert Meeting: Considering Participation Among People Living with Dementia in the Formulation of National Dementia Strategies and in Policy Making Processes (January 22, 2024)

Dementia Basic Act for an Inclusive Society (hereinafter, the “Dementia Basic Act”) was enacted on June 14, 2023, with the inclusion of many of our recommendations. That was one result of the various discussions we have held with industry, Government, academia, and civil society. Article 11 of the Dementia Basic Act obligates the Government of Japan to formulate a Basic Plan for the Promotion of Dementia Measures, and discussions for formulating that Basic Plan are set to begin in earnest at a body to be established by the Government in the future, after the Act comes into effect. Japan has already formulated a number of plans and national strategies aiming to promote dementia policies, such as the Orange Plan in 2012, the New Orange Plan in 2015, and the National Framework for Promotion of Dementia Policies in 2019. The Basic Plan for the Promotion of Dementia Policies will be the next national strategy and will be formulated in accordance with the Dementia Basic Act. Plans are also in place to regularly review and update the Basic Plan in the future.

It is especially important to involve people living with dementia and their family members in the formulation of such national strategies. One of the basic principles of the Dementia Basic Act stipulates that “all people with dementia are to be able to fully display their individuality and abilities through guaranteed opportunities to express themselves on matters that directly relate them and to participate in activities in all areas of society” (Article 3, paragraph 3; provisional translation). In addition to securing opportunities for people living with dementia and other affected parties to participate in community-building and R&D, the Dementia Basic Act also makes clear mention of participation for these parties in policy-making. For example, it mentions participation for people living with dementia, their family members, and other such parties in meetings during the formulation of the national Government’s Basic Plan (Article 34, paragraph 2). The law also states that during the formulation of prefectural and municipal plans, responsible parties “must endeavor to listen to the opinions of people living with dementia and their families” (Article 12, paragraph 3; provisional translation).

With an eye on the coming formulation of a new national dementia strategy in Japan as well as on trends in other countries, this Global Expert Meeting with key opinion leaders from Japan and overseas will deepen discussions on the ideal form of involvement from people living with dementia and other affected parties.

Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) has implemented a project entitled “International comparison of dementia policies, research study on information dissemination.” This Global Expert Meeting will be conducted as part of the “FY2023 Elderly Healthcare Promotion Project” (Elderly Healthcare Project Promotion Subsidy)