Japan's wild bears cross the line as human encounters soarーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Bear-related Incidents: Increasing number of injuries and fatalities due to bear encounters in Japan.
• Habitat Encroachment: Blurring boundaries between human living spaces and forests due to rural depopulation and abandonment of farmland.
• Population Recovery: Rise in bear numbers following a reduction in hunting after the 1990s.
• Human-Bear Conflict Mitigation: Various strategies being implemented by local and national authorities.
• Technological Solutions: Use of surveillance, drones, and deterrent devices.
• Community Resilience: Building communities that can coexist with bears.
• Geographical Factors: Japan's terrain and land mass contributing to close proximity between bears and human settlements.

Bear-Related Incidents and Escalation

As of 2025, Japan has experienced a significant surge in bear-related injuries, with nearly 200 reported cases. Tragically, 13 of these incidents have resulted in fatalities, more than doubling the previous record of six in 2023. This alarming trend highlights a growing problem of human-bear conflict across the country.

Factors Contributing to Increased Bear Encounters

Habitat Encroachment and Rural Depopulation

A primary driver of these encounters is the increasing encroachment of bear habitats into human living spaces. Japan's extensive forest coverage, which constitutes over two-thirds of the country, provides prime territory for bears. Hokkaido is predominantly inhabited by brown bears, while Asian black bears are found in parts of Honshu and Shikoku.

The phenomenon is exacerbated by rural depopulation and the subsequent abandonment of farmland. As human influence diminishes in these areas, abandoned fields and vacant lots are reclaimed by vegetation, allowing bushes and forests to grow and eventually merge with or encroach upon human settlements. This blurring of boundaries between natural and developed areas is particularly evident in rural regions.

Bear Population Recovery

Experts point to a historical reason for the current statistics: a shift in hunting practices. Until approximately 1990, hunting of bears was relatively intense. However, following Japan's ratification of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity around that time, excessive hunting began to be curbed. This reduction in hunting pressure has led to a recovery and subsequent increase in bear populations over several years.

Manifestations of the Problem

Bear sightings are now frequently reported from residential areas, including daycare centers, schools, and supermarkets. This has led to tangible changes in daily life. For instance, parents in Sunagawa city, Hokkaido, have resorted to driving their children to school instead of allowing them to walk. Outdoor playtime for children has also been curtailed nationwide this year. From April to October alone, over 20,000 confirmed bear sightings have been recorded.

Current Mitigation Efforts and Their Limitations

Local governments are actively trying to minimize bear-related damage, but current measures are struggling to keep pace with the escalating problem. One local resident expressed concern, stating, "I don't feel like bear sightings have decreased. Although we've installed surveillance equipment, bears are being captured on camera every day. So, I consider this an abnormal situation."

Human Behavior and Fearlessness in Bears

Adding to the complexity, some individuals exhibit risky behavior by approaching bears despite the danger, while others are more cautious. In Hokkaido, a concerning trend is the loss of fear in some bears towards humans, often attributed to being fed by tourists. Local baker Kudi Haratamia is actively combating this by distributing stickers that urge people not to feed the bears. He aims to educate the public, stating, "From a tourist's perspective, it feels no different from an amusement park or a theme park by making the reasons more widely known. I want to make it safer and more enjoyable for them to be in nature." Haratamia hopes to break the cycle where bears that lose their fear of humans ultimately face culling.

Increased Demand for Deterrents

The public's response to the heightened threat has led to an extraordinary surge in sales of bear deterrents. Many people now routinely carry bear spray and bells, with some areas reporting shortages. "Sales this year are extraordinary. When there's a report of a bear, not just near the mountains, but right in front of someone's house, people rush to buy, including people in towns," noted a vendor.

Technological and Governmental Interventions

Technological Solutions

Several regions are exploring technological solutions to deter bears. Urasu town in Hokkaido has been testing a device designed to scare animals away. Nata Prefecture is experimenting with drones equipped with infrared cameras that can detect body heat, enabling the location and monitoring of bears.

National Leadership Involvement

The national government is also stepping in. Last month, the Ministry of Defense agreed to deploy Ground Self-Defense Force personnel to assist a prefecture in capturing bears. Discussions are ongoing regarding the deployment of wildlife management officers.

Towards Coexistence and Future Outlook

The speaker emphasizes the importance of building communities that are resilient to bears as a long-term strategy to reduce human casualties. The current situation is expected to persist until bears hibernate around December. Finding effective ways to keep bears and humans apart is deemed essential.

Geographical Constraints

A significant factor contributing to the problem in Japan is the country's terrain. Unlike in North America, where bears often inhabit national parks and protected areas, Japanese bears reside in wild forests that cover a vast portion of the land. Furthermore, the mountainous terrain on a relatively smaller landmass brings bears into close proximity with the limited areas where human populations are concentrated. The challenge lies in finding a middle ground for coexistence between humans and nature.