A survey by Japan's health ministry shows that more than 80 percent of "dementia cafes" across the country remain closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

There are about 7,000 such places in Japan, where people with dementia and their families gather and seek advice.

More than 17,400 people with dementia were reported missing in Japan last year.

The National Police Agency says 17,479 people diagnosed with or suspected of having dementia went missing in 2019. The figure increased from the previous year by 552, and has been rising since 2012.