Hunters Warn Against Using Self-Defense Forces in Bear Control

As bear attacks continue across Japan, the government's handling of the situation is coming under scrutiny. On November 5, the Japan Hunters Association (JHA) told the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's emergency task force on bear damage that it opposes deploying the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) for bear control operations. JHA is a national organization representing hunters throughout the country.

Led by President Yohei Sasaki, the association said that dispatching the JSDF for such purposes could distract from its primary mission of national defense. It also questioned the idea of allowing police officers to conduct "emergency shooting hunts" in urban areas at the discretion of local governments.

Organization and Hunting Activity

According to multiple sources, the association is open to individuals who hold hunting licenses and has about 100,000 members nationwide. Under the national organization, there are prefectural hunting associations and local branches organized by municipalities.

The association reports that its members captured around 9,100 bears in 2024 and about 5,000 so far in 2025. They also harvest more than one million deer and wild boar annually. Hunters are required to conduct at least two shooting practice sessions each time before using their firearms and to take thorough safety precautions during hunts.

*Asiatic black bears have been spotted in succession like this one. (June 2025, Photo provided by Nara Prefecture)*

Concerns About Police Involvement

During the LDP's hearing, Sasaki told lawmakers: "Bears often charge at people when they see them — it's extremely dangerous. It's hard to believe that police officers, who have little knowledge or experience with bears, could safely conduct an 'emergency shooting hunt' in tense real-world situations after only limited training."

He also criticized the idea of sending the JSDF to assist with bear control measures, such as setting traps, saying: "Given the tense international climate, it's inappropriate for the Japan Self-Defense Forces — responsible for national defense — to be mobilized for this kind of work."

Why Are Bears Appearing More Often?

The association listed several factors behind the recent surge in bear sightings and attacks:

Poor acorn and nut harvests from oak and other trees.
Growing wild boar populations that consume chestnuts and acorns, reducing food sources for bears.
Deforestation in national forests, where nut-bearing trees like beech and oak have been replaced by cedar and cypress plantations.
Changes in bear diet — Asian black bears have started eating trapped deer, which was rare previously.
Blurred boundaries between human settlements and bear habitats.
Increased vacant houses in mountain villages, which bears now use as hibernation sites.
Large-scale solar power (mega solar) developments that have destroyed traditional satoyama landscapes.

The JHA also submitted a formal request to the government outlining its concerns and recommendations. Although an amendment to the Wildlife Protection, Control, and Hunting Management Act, enacted on September 1, now allows emergency shooting hunts, many municipalities still lack clear operational manuals and procedures.

"It's chaos on the ground," the association said. "While municipalities are legally responsible for damages caused during emergency shooting hunts, it remains unclear what legal responsibility the shooter bears under the Firearms and Swords Control Law."

Four Key Requests to the Government

The JHA urged the government to take the following steps:

Review and strengthen the purpose, structure, and practical operations of emergency shooting hunts, and ensure sufficient training and recruitment of hunters.
Establish legal and compensation systems that protect hunters from liability in the event of accidents, such as ricochets.
Treat hunters and support staff as professionals, ensuring fair and standardized compensation for their dangerous work.
Recognize that emergency shooting hunts are only a temporary measure, and instead focus on sustainable wildlife management, appropriate population control, hunter training programs, and adequate budget allocation.