@channelnewsasia: When one regular customer didn't return from his usual walk, his family called Yakult. Mariko Kitora is one of more than 31,000 Yakult ladies across Japan. Along with delivering drinks, she is trained to spot possible signs of dementia through everyday conversations, picking up on repeated stories or changes in daily routines without making customers feel like they're being assessed. It's one piece of a wider community effort. If Mariko notices something unusual, she can alert the local community support centre. Across Hyogo prefecture, more than 600 dementia-friendly businesses, from pharmacies to supermarkets, help keep an eye on older residents. As Singapore prepares for a growing number of people living with dementia, what would it take to build communities where they can stay safe, visible and included? Watch Talking Point's two-part investigation. #cnainsider #TalkingPoint #dementia #japan #yakult

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Wednesday 05 August 2026 12:00:00 GMT