Consider the Increasing Bear Attacks an Emergency

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Cases of bear-related physical harm to humans in Japan are becoming more serious. Around 80 people have been injured, and more than a dozen have already died this fiscal year. The numbers surpass the previous record of six deaths in FY 2023. Moreover, human injuries from these wild animals are occurring under different circumstances from the past.

In years past, most attacks involved people who had gone into the mountains to pick wild vegetables, where they encountered bears in the wild. However, in recent years, bears have been intruding upon populated areas. Consequently, "urban bear" incidents resulting in injuries to people in residential and commercial areas have become more prominent.

The situation has worsened considerably in 2025, with reports of bears attacking people throughout a wide swath of the country. This change is quite disturbing.

On October 30, the Takaichi Cabinet held a ministerial meeting to consider countermeasures for addressing the bear problem. Representatives from eight ministries participated, including the Ministry of the Environment. Implementation of comprehensive bear control measures will require close cooperation between the central government and local governments.

A black bear photographed in a rural area of Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, captured on a raccoon habitat survey camera in September 2022 (provided by the Yamaguchi Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry Research Center).

Behind the Bears' Unrest

The background to this abnormal situation is complex. This year (2025), there is a poor harvest of nuts, such as beech nuts. That has left scarce mountain sources for the foods the bears rely on. At the same time, the number of deer and other wild animals has been increasing. Furthermore, there are signs that Asiatic black bears are becoming more carnivorous as they increasingly eat the carcasses of other animals.

There is also a problem with deteriorating forest environments, which may be a factor behind the attack on humans. Renewable energy projects, such as mega solar and wind power generation, have expanded significantly in the name of decarbonization. Solar panels covering the mountainsides are compressing bear habitats. The government should also investigate the possibility that the low-frequency noise emitted by giant wind turbines is robbing the mountainous countryside of its tranquility.

The revised Wildlife Protection and Management Act allows mayors of cities, towns, and villages to order emergency hunting with guns against threatening bears that appear in urban areas. However, the pool of experienced hunters is aging, and the response system is weak. Hopefully, the national and local governments will support local communities that are affected, including by fostering professionals capable of dealing with the problem.

*This bear entered the grounds of a temple in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture*

Safe Distance Between Bears and People

At the request of Akita Prefecture, Self-Defense Force units have even been deployed. Instead of actually killing bears, they will support local efforts with box traps and the disposal of bears killed by hunting association members.

Time is of the essence. In this case, it is appropriate to deploy the Self-Defense Forces, as they have rapid response and organizational strength. But let us not forget that the SDF must prepare through intensive training to face enemies stronger than bears. For 2026 onward, there should be a system that mobilizes local government officials and police officers instead of relying on the SDF.

Measures to prevent bears from coming into inhabited areas are also necessary. For example, fruit trees in settled communities attract bears. Steps need to be taken to deter bears in those areas, including installing electric fences and monitoring devices. Mowing the grass along riverbanks, which bears often pass through when they enter urban areas, could also help.

The important thing is to reestablish a zone separating the habitats of humans and bears. Locally and nationally, anyone with applicable ecological and local knowledge should be mobilized.