In response to a dramatic increase in bear attacks, Japan’s Defense Ministry has dispatched troops to the northern prefecture of Akita. The mountainous region has witnessed a surge in bear encounters near schools, train stations, supermarkets, and even a hot springs resort. Since April, over 100 people have been injured, and at least 12 have lost their lives in bear-related incidents across Japan, according to Environment Ministry statistics from late October. Akita Prefecture, with a population of approximately 880,000, has been particularly hard-hit, reporting more than 50 attacks since May, including four fatalities. The situation has grown so dire that local authorities have described their efforts as “desperate” due to a lack of manpower. The Defense Ministry and Akita Prefecture signed an agreement allowing soldiers to assist in setting traps, transporting hunters, and disposing of dead bears. However, officials clarified that troops will not use firearms to cull the animals. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi emphasized that while the mission aims to protect citizens, the primary role of the Self-Defense Forces remains national defense, and their support for bear response efforts is limited. Experts attribute the rise in bear attacks to Japan’s aging and declining rural population, which has led to abandoned neighborhoods and farmland that attract bears. Additionally, the aging hunter population is ill-equipped to handle the growing threat. In response, the government has established a task force to develop a comprehensive bear response strategy by mid-November, including population surveys, warning systems, and revised hunting regulations.
Japan sends troops to northern region to help stop bear attacks after a record number of casualties
