Japan Deploys Military Amid Surge in Bear Attacks, 12 Dead

URGENT UPDATE: Japan is grappling with an unprecedented surge in bear attacks, prompting authorities to deploy military assistance across the country. Just this year, at least 12 people have died and over 100 others have been injured due to bear encounters, primarily in northern prefectures including Akita, Iwate, and Fukushima.

In a startling twist, the situation has escalated to the point where regional officials are requesting help from the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to manage this wildlife crisis. The military’s involvement was formally requested by Akita Governor Norihisa Satake in late October, as local authorities reported being overwhelmed by repeated maulings.

The military’s role will not include combat; instead, they will focus on logistical support, including transporting carcasses, setting traps, and patrolling forested areas where bear sightings have surged. It is important to note that only licensed hunters, not military personnel, are authorized to eliminate bears that pose a direct threat.

This alarming situation is attributed to a combination of environmental and demographic factors. Poor harvests of acorns and beech nuts, coupled with warmer winters delaying bear hibernation, have driven bears closer to human settlements. Rural depopulation has exacerbated the problem, leaving farmland and buffer zones neglected.

Local governments in regions like Akita, Niigata, and Hokkaido are taking urgent measures to combat this crisis. They have ramped up incentives for hunters, offering increased subsidies and training stipends to attract new recruits. With approximately 60% of licensed hunters now over age 60, the traditional matagi bear trackers are retiring, leaving a significant gap in rural emergency response.

Residents are frightened as bears have been spotted near homes, schools, and shopping areas, leading to temporary lockdowns in several rural towns. The heightened encounters have sparked a national debate on how to balance wildlife conservation with public safety. While bears are respected symbols in Japanese culture, the growing fear among locals is prompting demands for stricter control measures.

Japan’s Environment Ministry has issued urgent recommendations for citizens, advising them to avoid forest edges, secure their garbage, and immediately report any bear sightings. Officials frame the situation as a wildlife management crisis, emphasizing that it is not a war on bears. However, for many residents in northern Japan, the threat feels alarmingly close to one.

This situation remains fluid, and as authorities continue to address the ongoing bear crisis, the well-being of citizens and wildlife hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.