Military personnel were sent to Japan’s rugged northern regions on Wednesday. Troops were tasked with assisting local authorities in capturing bears. This action follows reports that communities are struggling to manage an unprecedented wave of wildlife attacks.
The response started in Kazuno, a small town nestled in forested mountains that has seen a sharp increase in bear sightings.
For several weeks, local people had been told to avoid deep forests and remain indoors after dark. This was to prevent confrontations with bears searching for food near residences.
Fatalities Lead to Military Intervention
The deployment of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) offers significant aid. Yasuhiro Kitakata, who heads the town’s bear management office, noted the welcome support. He described an alarming change in the animals’ behavior:
“I used to think bears would always run away when they heard noise, but now they actually come toward you. They’re truly frightening animals.”
The toll from these encounters nationwide is grim. The Ministry of the Environment confirmed over 100 bear attacks since April, resulting in a record 12 deaths. The majority of these fatalities two-thirds occurred in Akita prefecture, where Kazuno is located, and nearby Iwate prefecture.
In Akita, officials reported a six-fold spike in bear sightings this year, totaling over 8,000 incidents. With attacks poised to set a new record, the prefectural governor formally requested military assistance last week.
Trapping Operations Begin
Kazuno Mayor Shinji Sasamoto greeted the soldiers. He met about 15 troops who arrived in army vehicles, equipped with detailed maps and body armor. Sasamoto stated, “The townspeople feel the danger every day.” He added that the crisis “has affected how people live their lives, forcing them to stop going out or cancel events.”
The military’s primary function is logistics and tactical support: setting, transporting, and inspecting steel-barred traps. Captured bears are subsequently euthanized by licensed hunters.
Local forestry officials demonstrated on a mountain road how to prepare and load the traps for the soldiers. The white-helmeted troops carried bear spray.
They were guarded by personnel carrying shields and long wooden poles. One local resident, whose radio was broadcasting noise to repel bears, said, “We all try not to encounter the bears, but we keep hearing about people getting attacked.”
The operation started in Kazuno, a town known for its hot springs and apples. The soldiers will move on to the cities of Odate and Kitaakita under an agreement lasting until the end of November.
The Cause of the Incursions
The unusual increase in human-bear conflicts is linked to several dynamics:
- Population Growth: The overall bear population is increasing.
- Food Supply: Natural food sources are scarce this year. Kitakata explained that last year’s abundant food led to many cubs being born, but “This year, the food supply has run out.”
- Changing Landscape: The reduction of human activity in rural areas alters the habitat.
- Hunter Shortage: The pool of licensed hunters responsible for population control is diminishing and aging.
Recent events demonstrate the bears’ increasing aggression. Animals have attacked customers inside a supermarket and mauled a worker at a hot spring resort.
Schools have temporarily closed after bears were sighted on their grounds. Bear activity typically intensifies in October and November before the winter hibernation period.
Tokyo has announced plans to implement emergency measures this month. These include relaxing gun regulations for culling bears in populated areas and actively recruiting more licensed hunters.
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