Japan is grappling with an unprecedented rise in bear attacks, prompting authorities, local communities, and wildlife experts to adopt urgent measures to protect human life while managing wildlife more effectively. As of the end of November, 235 bear attacks had killed 13 people across the country in 2025, the highest numbers recorded since official tracking began in 2006, according to government data.
A Growing and Worrying Trend
Bear encounters have been reported across multiple prefectures, particularly in rural and mountainous regions where human settlements border forested areas. In several cases, bears have wandered into residential neighborhoods, schools, farms, and even shopping areas, attacking residents and damaging property.
Experts say the surge is driven by a combination of factors, including climate change, food shortages in forests, rural depopulation, and changes in land use. Poor harvests of nuts and berries—key food sources for bears—have pushed animals closer to human habitation in search of food.
At the same time, Japan’s aging and shrinking rural population has led to abandoned farmland and less human activity in mountain villages, reducing the natural buffer zones that once kept wildlife at a distance.
Emergency Measures on the Ground
In response, local governments have stepped up emergency countermeasures. These include issuing bear alerts, increasing patrols, and installing warning signs, sirens, and motion-sensor alarms in high-risk areas. Some municipalities have also distributed bear bells and spray to residents, especially elderly people living alone.
Authorities have expanded the use of electric fencing around farms and residential zones to deter bears from entering populated areas. In schools located near forests, children are being escorted by adults, and outdoor activities are sometimes restricted during peak risk periods.
Controlled Culling and Professional Hunters
One of the most controversial responses has been the increase in controlled culling. Local governments have authorized trained hunters to capture or kill bears deemed dangerous, particularly those that repeatedly enter urban areas or attack humans.
However, Japan faces a shortage of licensed hunters, many of whom are elderly. To address this, some prefectures are offering financial incentives, training programs, and simplified procedures to attract younger people into wildlife control roles.
Technology and Early Warning Systems
Japan is also turning to technology to reduce risks. In several regions, authorities have deployed AI-powered cameras, GPS tracking, and drones to monitor bear movements and provide early warnings to residents. Smartphone alerts are increasingly used to notify communities when bears are spotted nearby.
These systems aim to prevent surprise encounters, which are often the most dangerous and deadly.
Balancing Safety and Conservation
Wildlife experts stress that while public safety is paramount, long-term solutions must balance human protection with bear conservation. Bears play an important role in forest ecosystems, and indiscriminate culling could disrupt environmental balance.
Experts are calling for better forest management, restoration of natural food sources, and long-term land-use planning to reduce human–wildlife conflict rather than relying solely on reactive measures.
Looking Ahead
As Japan enters winter, bear activity is expected to decline as animals hibernate. However, officials warn that without structural changes, similar or worse situations could emerge in future years.
The record number of attacks in 2025 has made one thing clear: Japan’s relationship with its wildlife is changing. How the country adapts through technology, policy, and community action will shape whether humans and bears can coexist more safely in the years ahead.
Originally written by: By Janis Mackey Frayer, Arata Yamamoto and Peter Guo
Link to the article: https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/japan-bear-attacks-fight-back-rcna246727
