Record Year of Bear Attacks in Japan Claims Lives and Causes Injuries

On a recent Friday, bear assaults resulted in one death and left four others injured in Japan. This incident underscores a concerning trend of increased bear aggressions that the government has been striving to address.

Prior to these attacks, bears had already claimed nine lives this year, breaking the previous annual record of six fatalities reported in the fiscal year concluding in March 2024.

The growing presence of bears in Japanese urban areas is attributed to various factors, including shifts in climate patterns and demographic changes.

Details of Recent Incidents

In the Akita region, known for its mountainous landscapes, authorities were alerted about a bear attack affecting four individuals. According to police, one person succumbed to injuries while three others were admitted to a medical facility.

Reports indicated that two victims were tending to agricultural duties when the attack occurred. The other two individuals sustained injuries during their attempt to render assistance.

A hunter in the vicinity neutralized a bear, and there are ongoing investigations to confirm whether it was responsible for the attacks on these individuals.

In another case in the Toyama region, a septuagenarian woman was also injured in a bear encounter the same day.

Government Response and Measures

Japan's newly appointed environment minister has acknowledged these incidents as a grave issue, committing to bolstering measures for bear management. The strategy includes training and deploying skilled hunters as well as controlling the bear population more effectively.

Previous unfortunate encounters included the disappearance of a 60-year-old individual who was later found deceased while tending an outdoor bath in Iwate prefecture.

Bears' Expanding Territory

Northern areas report seeing bears at tourist spots, retail stores, and near educational and recreational facilities. In one case, a person attempted to fend off a bear but was tragically dragged into the woods.

Japan is home to two bear species: the Asiatic black bear and the larger brown bear found predominantly in Hokkaido.

Each year, thousands of bears are culled as part of population control efforts.

Experts point to climate change affecting bears' access to food and altering their hibernation periods. Additionally, Japan's shrinking and aging population means more rural lands are being left unoccupied, offering bears new habitats.

Biologist Koji Yamazaki from Tokyo University of Agriculture noted that this depopulation trend grants bears the opportunity to widen their range.