In parallel with the aging of Japanese society, the number of older Japanese with dementia has been steadily increasing. In response to this trend, the Japanese government has established long-term care insurance and an adult guardianship system. At the same time, national and local governments, medical associations, the Alzheimer's Association and pharmaceutical companies have tried to promulgate knowledge regarding dementia. It is therefore important to assess whether these social movements are having an impact on the perception of dementia among the general population in Japan.