An article by Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) Senior Manager Mr. Shunichiro Kurita titled “Reading the Future of Dementia Policies through the Basic Act on Dementia: Expectations for Dementia Ordinances” was published in Case Journal of Dementia Care, Volume 18, Issue 2.

Article overview:

Enacted in 2023, the Basic Act on Dementia aims to create an inclusive society based on principles that emphasize the rights and dignity of people living with dementia and their families. Reflecting on the enactment process of the Basic Act on Dementia, this article considers the direction for dementia policies among local governments. In particular, it highlights the importance of collaboration across sectors and involvement for people living with dementia in the formulation of plans for the promotion of dementia policies and identifies challenges and support measures for local governments who aim to advance such policies. Furthermore, it discusses the significance of enacting dementia ordinances in terms of aspects such as democratic legitimacy, policy stability, and impact on informing the public. It also presents key points related to content and processes that should be emphasized when formulating such ordinances. Materializing measures from local governments and cooperating with people living with dementia will be essential for realizing the ideals of the Basic Act on Dementia.