TOKYO — A regional official in Japan urged the government Tuesday to deploy the military to counter a “truly dire” wave of bear attacks that have claimed a record 10 lives this year, surpassing the previous high of six deaths in the fiscal year ending March 2024.
Kenta Suzuki, governor of Akita prefecture in northern Japan, appealed to Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, stating that the Self-Defense Forces are essential to protect residents. “The lives of our citizens cannot be protected without the help of the Self-Defense Forces,” Suzuki said, highlighting the severity of attacks often targeting victims’ necks and faces. He noted that bears are increasingly venturing beyond mountains into urban areas, disrupting daily life in an “abnormal” way.
The surge in attacks, driven by a declining human population and climate change, has seen bears encroach into towns, with sightings near schools, parks, and even inside stores, particularly in northern regions. Japan is home to two bear species: Asian black bears, also known as moon bears, and larger brown bears found on the northern island of Hokkaido.
An environment ministry official confirmed Tuesday that bear attacks have killed 10 people this year, with the latest incident occurring last week in a mountain village in Akita, where one person died and three others were injured. Local media reported additional unconfirmed fatalities, including a woman found dead Monday near rice fields in Akita and a man and his dog discovered deceased in neighboring Iwate, both showing signs of bear attacks.
Defense Minister Koizumi, recently appointed, vowed to “make the utmost use of the capabilities and authority” to restore safety. The government faces mounting pressure to address the crisis as bears continue to pose a growing threat to communities.
The unprecedented rise in bear encounters has sparked alarm, with tourists among those attacked. Authorities are grappling with how to balance wildlife management and public safety as environmental and demographic shifts drive bears closer to human habitats.
