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Guide

When you are worried about memory loss

Yokohama offers free memory screening to residents aged 50 and over, carried out as an interview at local clinics. This page also covers where to turn when the person refuses to see a doctor.

This page helps you choose where to go for advice. It does not assess whether anyone has dementia.

If an online checklist says "nothing to worry about" but you are still worried, ask anyway — not being sure is exactly when advice helps. Memory loss can have causes that surgery or medication can treat. See Understanding dementia.

Memory screening — free from age 50

Yokohama runs memory screening (もの忘れ検診): an interview that checks cognitive function, carried out at clinics across the city. It is a way in for the stage of "I am not sure it is worth seeing a doctor".

WhoYokohama residents aged 50 or over on the day of screening, who have never been diagnosed with dementia
CostFree. If dementia is suspected and a specialist is needed, the referral and detailed tests are charged
WhatAn interview checking cognitive function
Where228 clinics in the city; 69 of them accept people aged 50–64 (as of 1 July 2026)
How oftenOnce per fiscal year
Period1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027
EnquiriesHealth and Social Welfare Bureau 045-671-4129 (Japanese)

Participating clinics and how it works (Yokohama City, Japanese)

Screening is not a diagnosis; if anything is suspected, you will be referred to a specialist. Fewer clinics accept people aged 50–64, so check the list before booking.

When the person refuses to see a doctor

This is the most common place families get stuck. Yokohama names the Elderly and Disability Support Division of your ward office, together with the Community Care Plaza, as its general advice desks; specialist staff advise at the desk or on a home visit.

In addition, memory consultations with specialist doctors are held at the ward office or as a home visit, about once a month in each ward. Ask the ward office for dates.

Ward office desks and phone numbers (Yokohama City, Japanese)

When you just want someone to talk to

The Yokohama Dementia Call Centre takes calls on 045-662-7833 (in Japanese), Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10:00–16:00 (last call 15:45; open on public holidays, closed over New Year).

When you want specialist medical advice

Dementia Medical Centres are specialist medical institutions. They give specialist medical advice and examinations by specialist doctors; you can consult them by phone or in person (appointments needed for in person).

List of Dementia Medical Centres (Yokohama City, Japanese)

When you want to talk about care as well

A Community Care Plaza (地域ケアプラザ, Yokohama's name for a Community Comprehensive Support Centre) handles care, welfare and medical questions together, including dementia, and you do not need a care certification to use it. Which one serves you depends on your address.

Find the Community Care Plaza for your address

What family members can do at the appointment

  • Go along if you can. The person often cannot describe what has been happening, and what the family reports becomes part of the diagnosis
  • Write down when it started and what you have noticed
  • Bring something that lists current medication (an おくすり手帳 medication notebook, for example)

Starting with the family doctor is also a good route; the clinic list shows whether they offer screening.

Find your support centre Official page (Japanese)

Source: Yokohama City · Last verified 2026-09-28. 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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