Image: from tim_hornyak X@robotopia
By Benjamin Foster | Staff Writer with Agencies
In response to a surge in bear attacks across Japan, the government has deployed military troops to assist in trapping and culling bears in the country’s northern regions. The unprecedented wave of attacks, which has resulted in 12 deaths since April, has left communities in rural Japan struggling to cope with the growing threat from these animals.
The operation began in Kazuno, a small town in Akita Prefecture, located amidst the rugged mountains of northern Japan. The town has witnessed a sharp increase in bear sightings, prompting local authorities to warn residents to avoid the forests and stay indoors after dark. As the situation escalated, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) were called upon to assist.
Yasuhiro Kitakata, who oversees Kazuno’s bear department, expressed relief at the deployment of troops. “Even if just temporary, the SDF’s help is a big relief,” Kitakata said. “I used to think bears would always run away when they heard noise, but now they actually come toward you. They’re truly frightening animals,” he added.
The Japanese Ministry of the Environment reports that there have been over 100 bear attacks in the country since April, with the majority of fatalities occurring in Akita and the nearby Iwate Prefecture. The increase in attacks is linked to several factors, including rising bear populations, climate change, and the depopulation of rural areas, which has led to more human-bear encounters.
The spike in bear sightings in Akita Prefecture has been alarming. Authorities noted that sightings have increased sixfold this year, surpassing 8,000 sightings. This has prompted local officials, including Akita’s governor, to request military assistance. The SDF troops, equipped with body armor and traps, are being tasked with setting up and inspecting bear traps, which are then used to capture and cull the bears with the help of trained hunters.
Kazuno Mayor Shinji Sasamoto commented on the situation, noting that the fear of bears has significantly impacted daily life in the town. “It has affected how people live their lives, forcing them to stop going out or cancel events,” he said. The SDF’s involvement in the operation is seen as an essential step in controlling the bear population and protecting the public.
The military intervention follows several high-profile bear attacks in the region. Recent incidents include bears attacking customers inside supermarkets, assaulting tourists at bus stops, and injuring workers at a hot spring resort. Some schools have even closed temporarily after bears were spotted roaming near their grounds.
As the animals forage more aggressively for food before their winter hibernation, experts say that bear attacks typically peak in October and November. Kitakata explained that last year, an abundance of food in the mountains and the birth of many cubs contributed to a relatively calm period. However, this year, the food supply has dwindled, and the bears are being forced to venture closer to human settlements.
Japan’s black bears, which can weigh up to 130 kg (287 pounds), are known for their aggression when threatened or hungry. In Hokkaido, the northernmost island, brown bears can weigh as much as 400 kg (880 pounds), making them even more dangerous.
This is not the first time Japan has deployed military forces to assist with wildlife control. In the past, the military has provided aerial surveillance to assist in deer culling operations and has also culled sea lions to protect fisheries.
The government has announced plans to further address the growing bear problem by recruiting more licensed hunters and relaxing gun regulations to make it easier for hunters to take action in urban areas. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato emphasized the urgency of the situation: “As bears continue to enter populated areas in many regions and injuries from bear attacks increase daily, we absolutely cannot afford to put off bear countermeasures.”
The measures, which include enhancing hunting capabilities and improving coordination between local authorities and the military, are part of Japan’s broader efforts to curb the risks posed by these increasingly bold animals.
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