Over 170 Casualties in Six Months as Bears Attack Villages in Japan

In Japan, incidents of bears appearing in villages and attacking people have continued.

According to a report by the Asahi Shimbun on October 26, 66%-or 114 out of 172 people-who were killed or injured by bear attacks between April and October 22 of this year, suffered harm not in forest areas but in residential zones.

From April to June, most casualties occurred among those who went to forests for activities such as hiking or gathering wild vegetables and were attacked by bears. However, starting in July, casualties in residential areas accounted for 80% of the total.

In Akita Prefecture, where such incidents are frequent, 25 people were attacked in residential areas in October alone.

On October 20, a bear appeared in downtown Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, and attacked four men. The bear then entered a house near the train station and was captured in a box trap only after about 120 hours had passed, in the early morning of October 25.

As bear attacks in residential areas increased, Japan amended the Wildlife Protection and Management Law to strengthen countermeasures, allowing the use of rifles for bear capture in urban areas starting in September this year. However, these measures have not been sufficient.

In fiscal year 2025 (April 2025-March 2026), the number of deaths caused by bears has reached 10, surpassing the previous record of 6 in fiscal year 2023.

The increase in bear attacks on villages this year is attributed to a poor harvest of acorns and other tree nuts, which are a food source for bears in the forest. Additionally, a fundamental factor is believed to be the increase in the bear population.