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Aim: Subjective memory complaints (SMC) have attracted attention in recent years in relation to the early stages of dementia. However, it is not clear whether SMC are related to social and leisure activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate SMC in relation to activities in community‐dwelling older adults. Methods: A questionnaire inquiring about SMC and social and leisure activities was sent to 14 850 people aged ≥65 years residing in Toyoake City, as part of the Toyoake Integrated Care Study. After a preliminary analysis, we targeted respondents aged ≥70 years. Therefore, 6685 people were included in the analysis. Three question items were used detecting SMC: the feeling of a memory problem (SMC‐1), memory loss pointed out by others (SMC‐2) and difficulty in recalling today's date (SMC‐3). Logistic regression was carried out to determine the relationship between SMC and activities. Results: In response to SMC‐1, 2 and 3, 45.3%, 13.3% and 23.5% participants, respectively, agreed with the statement. Social and leisure activities were negatively associated with SMC‐2 and SMC‐3, after controlling for confounding factors (SMC‐2: odds ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.65–0.89; SMC‐3: odds ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.70–0.90). However, a significant increase in participation in social and leisure activities was associated with a positive response to SMC‐1 (SMC‐1: odds ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 1.12–1.38). Conclusion A relationship was observed between SMC and social and leisure activities in community‐dwelling older people, although differences in the impact of SMC were seen depending on the question asked. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 867–872. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]