Residents have been advised to steer clear of the dense forests and remain indoors after sunset to avoid encounters with bears searching for food near residential areas.

Military personnel have been deployed to install, manage, and inspect the steel-barred traps designed to capture bears, which are subsequently euthanized by professional hunters contracted to manage the bear population.

In a move to facilitate bear control in urban settings, the government eased firearm regulations in September, allowing hunters more leeway to shoot bears in city areas.

After Kazuno — a town of about 30,000 people known for its hot springs, scenery and variety of sweet apples — the soldiers will head for the cities of Odate and Kitaakita under an agreement lasting until the end of November.