A Surge in Savagery: What’s Behind the Rise in Bear Attacks in Japan?

A deadly conflict between bears and humans is intensifying across Japan, prompting an unprecedented response that includes deploying the military, deploying AI-powered drones, and issuing international travel advisories. This year, the country is grappling with a record number of bear encounters, turning idyllic mountain towns and even suburban streets into zones of potential danger.

The statistics are stark. Since April, at least 13 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in bear attacks, according to an October report by the Ministry of the Environment. This death toll is the highest since Japan began keeping records in 2006, signaling a crisis that has pushed communities and authorities to their limits.

The Bears of Japan: Two Species, One Growing Problem

Japan is home to two primary bear species, both of which have been involved in this year’s incidents:

• Big Brown Bears (Ussuri brown bears): These giants, weighing over 450kg (1,000 pounds), inhabit the northern island of Hokkaido. While encounters are less frequent due to Hokkaido’s lower population density, their attacks are far more often fatal due to their immense size and power.
• Asiatic Black Bears (Moon bears): Smaller, weighing between 80-200kg (176-440 pounds), these bears are found on Japan’s main island of Honshu and Shikoku. Their proximity to densely populated areas leads to more frequent encounters, driving the high number of incidents.

As Dr. Shota Mochizuki, an associate professor at Fukushima University, explains, “This is largely because black bears are widely distributed across Honshu and Shikoku, where many people live, while brown bears inhabit only Hokkaido, resulting in fewer opportunities for encounters with humans. However, attacks by brown bears are far more severe.”

A Nation on Edge: Where Attacks Are Happening

Japan’s northern prefectures have borne the brunt of the surge. NHK, Japan’s public broadcaster, reports that Akita prefecture has been the epicenter, with four fatalities and over 50 people attacked since May. Bear sightings in Akita have risen sixfold this year, with many incidents occurring in residential areas.

The human toll is devastating. In early November, a 78-year-old woman in Gojome Town was assaulted by a bear, which then turned on a 50-year-old woman who came to her aid. Both survived but were hospitalized. In late October, an elderly woman was killed by a bear while working on a farm.

The situation has become so dire that the governor of Akita, Kenta Suzuki, stated on social media that “the situation has already surpassed what the prefecture and municipalities can handle on their own,” adding that “exhaustion on the ground is reaching its limit.”

The danger is not confined to remote woodlands. Last month, a bear entered a supermarket in Numata city, in central Japan, and attacked shoppers, causing injuries. The pervasive threat has even reached urban parks; in Sapporo, Hokkaido, the popular Maruyama Park was closed for two weeks after a bear was sighted.

The surge has prompted international warnings. The United States issued a “wildlife alert,” while the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office advised travellers to avoid venturing alone into forests and to be meticulous about not leaving food waste.

The Root Causes: A Perfect Storm of Environmental and Social Factors

Experts point to a confluence of factors creating this “perfect storm” for human-bear conflict.

1. Food Scarcity in the Mountains: The primary driver is a poor harvest of acorns and beech nuts, staple foods for bears. “In years when natural food is scarce, bears are more likely to venture into human settlements in search of food,” Dr. Mochizuki told Al Jazeera. This follows a similar surge in 2023, also linked to poor acorn yields, with some experts pointing to climate change as a disruptor of these mast years.
2. A Growing Bear Population: Conservation efforts and reduced hunting pressure have been successful, perhaps too successful. The overall bear population is now estimated to be over 54,000. The number of brown bears in Hokkaido has doubled since 1990, while the black bear population has also expanded significantly from an estimated 15,000 in 2012. This growth naturally expands the “contact zone” between bears and humans.
3. Rural Depopulation and an Aging Society: This is a critical, long-term factor. As young people migrate to cities for work, villages age and shrink. Abandoned farms and unmanaged fields on the peripheries of towns become overgrown, creating perfect corridors and habitats for bears to approach undetected. There are fewer people to monitor the forests and deter wildlife.

On the Front Lines: Military, Drones, and Desperate Measures

In a stark reflection of the crisis, Japan deployed its Self-Defense Forces (military) and riot police to the Akita region in November. However, their roles are distinctly different.

Riot police are authorized to use lethal force, but the military is not. “The Japan Self-Defense Forces are legally restricted to national defence and disaster relief, and therefore have no legal authority to kill wildlife,” explained Dr. Mochizuki. Instead, soldiers assist by setting traps, removing bear carcasses shot by licensed hunters, and providing logistical support.

Local communities are taking matters into their own hands. Mayors in affected areas are promoting the use of AI-surveillance systems and drones to monitor forests and send alerts. Public advisories urge residents to cut down nut-bearing trees near homes, secure garbage, and avoid leaving food scraps during picnics.

A Path Forward: Beyond Emergency Response

While culling problem bears is a necessary short-term tactic, experts like Dr. Mochizuki emphasize that sustainable solutions require a multi-pronged approach:

• Eliminate Attractants: The most effective measure is rigorous management of garbage, compost, and abandoned fruit trees in villages.
• Build Physical Barriers: Installing electric fencing around farms and the perimeters of vulnerable communities can create a critical buffer zone.
• Enhance Early Detection: Leveraging technology like camera traps, sensors, and GPS collars, coupled with rapid mobile alerts, can give communities precious time to react.
• Address the Human Capital Crisis: Japan faces a critical shortage of hunters and wildlife managers, a profession skewed toward older adults. “Recruiting younger members and increasing municipal staff capacity is essential,” Mochizuki stressed.
• Public Education: For both residents and the growing number of international tourists, there is a pressing need for clear guidance on bear behavior and safety practices. Many simply do not know how to react during an encounter.

The surge in bear attacks is more than a wildlife management issue; it is a symptom of deeper environmental and demographic shifts in Japan. As the nation scrambles to protect its citizens, it is becoming increasingly clear that restoring a safe boundary between human and animal realms will require innovation, investment, and a new coexistence strategy for the 21st century.

 

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