Japan on alert after record-breaking wave of bear attacks

Japan is facing an unprecedented increase in bear attacks, with record numbers of deaths and encounters this year. According to the Ministry of EnvironmentTen people have been killed by bears since April, the highest number since records began in 2006. More than 100 people There have been many deaths or injuries during the same period, with the most serious cases concentrated in northern areas such as Akita, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures.

The latest fatal attack occurred last Friday in Higashinaruse Village, Akita Prefecture, where a 38-year-old man was killed. Reported by Japan Broadcasting Corporation At least 78 people have been involved in bear attacks so far this month alone, surpassing the previous record of 73 incidents in 2023.

Experts say there are multiple reasons behind the surge. Poor harvests of beech nuts and acorns, the bears’ main food source, force them out of the forest and into residential areas in search of food. Climate change may also play a role, as warmer winters delay hibernation and increase bear activity. At the same time, rural depopulation and farmland abandonment blur the lines between wilderness and human settlements, creating easier passage for bears into towns and villages.

Japan considers military deployment

Kenta Suzuki, Governor of Akita Prefecture explain The prefectural government may request the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces to respond to the escalating situation, saying it is “beyond the capacity of the prefectural and municipal governments to handle.” Suzuki announced plans to visit Tokyo to make a formal request to the Ministry of Defense.

The move would mark a rare step for Japan, where wildlife control typically falls under local or county jurisdiction. However, the scale of the recent attacks has attracted national attention. Authorities are now stepping up patrols and awareness campaigns as the fall foliage season draws tourists to the mountains, where bears are most active.

Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara says attacks are increasing “Serious problem,” Commit to training more licensed hunters and improving bear management. But many local governments face a shortage of experienced hunters, making it more difficult to respond to sightings and attacks.

How to protect against bear attacks

As encounters become more frequent, authorities and researchers urge the public to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines. Experts recommend that if you encounter a bear, avoid eye contact and sudden movements, and back away slowly without turning around. Running or climbing trees should be avoided as bears are faster and more agile.

If an attack seems unavoidable, lying face down and protecting your head and neck with your hands can reduce the severity of the injury. Recent research from Akita University. Precautions include carrying a bell or whistle when hiking, traveling in groups, and avoiding walks at dawn or dusk, when bears are most active.

Pepper spray remains the most effective deterrent, although it is not widely used in Japan. Some stores in northern counties have begun renting out sprays and selling bear bells as demand soars.

There are an estimated 44,000 Asiatic black bears and 12,000 brown bears in the country, and coexistence requires vigilance and adaptation. As Japan enters late autumn, when bears are most active before hibernating, residents and visitors alike are being urged to take extra precautions in forests, farmland and even suburbs.

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