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Not carrying it alone

The most common way care goes wrong is that one person carries it alone and gives out first. Anonymous phone lines, dementia cafes and carers’ gatherings, and short stays for resting. All free, or covered by the insurance.

The most common way care goes wrong is that one person carries it alone and gives out first. There are places to talk to people in the same position, and numbers to ring anonymously. Both are free.

By phone

The Yokohama dementia call centre is staffed largely by people who have cared for someone themselves, and costs nothing. For people under 65 there is a separate young-onset dementia line.

0800-100-2707 — young-onset line, Mon–Sat 10:00–15:00 (Wed to 19:00). Answered in Japanese.

In person — cafes and carers' gatherings

The city runs both carers' gatherings, held at ward offices and care plazas, and dementia cafes, where anyone can drop in.

The list of cafes is published by the city (in Japanese).

Your own support centre is the nearest place to ask

Dates for gatherings and cafes, and contacts for family groups, are all known there. Asking is free and needs no certification.

Find your support centre

There are schemes for resting, too

  • Short stays — a carer's illness, family occasion or business trip are listed reasons for using them
  • Family care leave — time to set things up without leaving your job

Times and contacts change. Check with the source or your support centre before going.

Find your support centre Official page (Japanese)

Source: Yokohama City · Last verified 2026-09-13. Rules change. Check the source page before you act on this. This is a plain-English summary of public information, not an official translation.

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