For residents of Japan & families abroad
Ask a Doctor in Japan About Dementia — In English
Online, text-based consultation with a physician in Japan. No appointment, no waiting room — a written reply in English within 48 hours.
Dementia Connect is a Japan-based platform where families and patients can ask a physician about dementia symptoms and care directly, in writing. If you're a foreign resident in Japan, or you live abroad and are trying to understand what's happening with a parent's health back in Japan, the language barrier and unfamiliar hospital system can make it hard to get a straight answer. This service exists to close that gap: you write your question, a physician who treats dementia in Japan every day reads it and replies in English, and you can ask follow-up questions until it's clear.
This may be for you if:
- You live in Japan, but the medical paperwork and hospital explanations are in Japanese only.
- You're not sure how Japan's long-term care insurance and elder care system works.
- You want a doctor's perspective without waiting weeks for a specialist appointment.
How it works
Write your question in English
Describe the symptoms, the situation, and what you'd like to know.
A physician in Japan replies in English
You'll receive a written reply within 48 hours.
Ask follow-up questions
Follow-ups are included, so you can clarify anything that's unclear.
What you can ask about
A few examples of the kinds of questions families and patients bring to a consultation.
Night-time wandering & sleep problems
Your parent gets up at night, tries to go outside, or mixes up day and night.
Refusing food or medication
Meals are being skipped, or medication isn't being taken as prescribed.
BPSD — agitation, aggression, hallucinations
Sudden anger, suspicion of family members, or seeing/hearing things that aren't there.
Memory loss vs. normal aging
You're not sure whether what you're seeing is ordinary forgetfulness or something more.
Choosing a care facility in Japan
Understanding the difference between facility types and what to look for during a visit.
Japan's long-term care insurance (kaigo hoken)
How the certification process works, and what services it actually covers.
Pricing
Prices are in Japanese yen (JPY), tax included.
First consultation
¥1,000
1 follow-up question within 3 days (first-time only)
Standard
¥3,000
2 follow-up questions within 3 days
In-depth
¥6,000
5 follow-up questions within 7 days, plus a written summary
About the physician
Consultations are answered by Yuya Kobayashi, MD, PhD, 認知症専門外来・在宅診療医.
- Graduated from the University of Tokyo School of Medicine (2014); Ph.D. in Medicine, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine (2021).
- Providing home-visit medical care since 2018, and running a dementia specialist outpatient clinic since 2021 — treating more than 5,000 patient visits per year.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak Japanese to use this?
No. You can write your question in English and receive the physician's reply in English. The consultation form itself is in Japanese, but you're welcome to fill in the free-text fields in English.
Is this a diagnosis, or a substitute for seeing a doctor in person?
No. This is a paid, text-based information and second-opinion service. It does not replace an in-person examination, diagnosis, or prescription. If your family member needs urgent care, please contact local emergency services or a hospital directly.
Who actually answers my question?
A physician licensed in Japan who specializes in dementia care reviews and answers each question personally. See the "About the physician" section below for background and credentials.
How does Japan's long-term care insurance (kaigo hoken) work for dementia?
Residents of Japan aged 65+ (and in some cases 40+) can apply for a care-level certification through their local municipal office. Once certified, a care manager helps arrange subsidized services such as home help, day care, and short stays. If you're supporting a parent from abroad, we can point you toward the right first step for your specific situation.
Can I ask on behalf of a parent living in Japan while I'm abroad?
Yes. Many people who use this service are family members living outside Japan, asking about a parent's symptoms or care options on their behalf.
What should I include in my question?
Describe the symptoms you've noticed, when they started, your family member's age and general health, and what specifically you'd like the physician's opinion on. More detail generally leads to a more useful answer.
How do payment and follow-up questions work?
Plans are priced in Japanese yen and paid online at the time of your consultation. Standard and In-depth plans include a set number of included follow-up questions so you can clarify anything that's unclear in the first reply.
What should I do in a medical emergency?
This service is not for emergencies. If your family member is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical attention, contact local emergency services (in Japan, dial 119) or go to the nearest hospital.
This is a paid, text-based information service provided by a licensed physician in Japan. It is not an in-person diagnosis, prescription, or emergency service. If you need urgent medical care, please contact local emergency services.
The form itself is in Japanese, but you can write and receive your answer in English.
日本語ページはこちら