Japan is experiencing a troubling rise in bear attacks, prompting the government to take action. According to the BBC, the authorities have decided to enlist hunters to cull these animals.
The Japanese Ministry of the Environment has announced funding for hiring licensed hunters and additional personnel to combat bears that are encroaching on populated areas and threatening people.
This decision came as a result of a high-level meeting held on Thursday, where the issue of increasing encounters between bears and humans was discussed.
Since the beginning of the year, twelve people have died as a result of bear attacks — a record number since the early 2000s. Among the victims is a man who delivered newspapers in Hokkaido and a 67-year-old resident of Iwate, who was found dead in his garden.
Authorities emphasize that bears pose a serious threat to public safety and are considering allowing police to use firearms to cull bears. Measures to prevent attacks are expected to be finalized by mid-November.
Bears have been spotted in supermarkets and middle schools, as well as attacking people engaged in everyday activities.
Japan is home to two species of bears: the Japanese black bear and the larger brown bear, which is typically found in Hokkaido. This year, over 100 people have fallen victim to bear attacks, including at least one foreigner who was attacked at a bus stop in a popular tourist area.
The situation is particularly tense in Akita Prefecture, where large mountain ranges are located and the highest number of incidents has been recorded.
This week, authorities reported the involvement of Japan's Self-Defense Forces to assist local governments in capturing and deterring bears.
"The safety and well-being of citizens are at risk," noted Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, as reported by the Kyodo agency.
Although current legislation prohibits military personnel from shooting bears, they can assist hunters in capturing and transporting the killed animals.
Akita Governor Kenta Suzuki emphasized that local residents facing the bear problem are "exhausted" from the constant struggle.
The aging and declining number of hunters also exacerbate the situation, linked to decreasing interest in hunting mammals that were previously popular for their fur and bile. This leads to an increase in bear populations, which are increasingly entering residential areas. Experts believe that a shortage of beech nuts due to climate change may be pushing hungry animals towards human dwellings.
The declining population in rural areas is also mentioned as a contributing factor to the problem.
In September, Japan eased gun control regulations to simplify the process of culling bears in populated areas.
