On January 24, 2023, the Health and Policy Global Institute (HGPI) Dementia Policy Project has presented follow-up recommendations regarding the Basic Act for Dementia entitled “Ensuring the Basic Act for Dementia Encourages Involvement for People Living with Dementia and their Supporters.” A media briefing on the recommendations was held online the same day.

The three pillars of “Ensuring the Basic Act for Dementia Encourages Involvement for People Living with Dementia and their Supporters” were explained in detail, along with representatives from each of the organizations that jointly developed the policy of the proposal.

■ The three pillars

1. Make clear mention of establishing a “Joint Committee for the Advancement of Measures for Dementia” (tentative name) within the Government of Japan and specify that patient advocates will be members of that committee.
2. Obligate local and prefectural governments to ensure people living with dementia, their family members, and related parties are involved when formulating plans.
3. Make clear mention of “Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)” in research and development.

■ Speakers

Morio Suzuki (Representative Director, Alzheimer’s Association Japan (AAJ))
Tatsuya Wakano (Acting Director, the National Family & Supporter Council for Working Age Dementia)
Masatoshi Tsudome (Director-General, the Man Nursing and Support Person’s Nationwide Networks)
Eriko Okuyama (Representative of Shizuoka prefecture, the Dementia with Lewy Bodies Support Network)
Shunichiro Kurita (Manager, Health and Global Policy Institute)