Japan is grappling with an unprecedented surge in bear attacks, compelling local governments to seek military support and provide more incentives for hunters. Authorities and media outlets are calling it the most severe wildlife crisis the country has faced in years.

As reported by the Japan Times, the attacks have resulted in at least 12 fatalities and over 100 injuries this year, predominantly in northern regions like Akita, Iwate, and Fukushima. Bears have been seen near residential areas, schools, and shopping centers, leading to temporary lockdowns in some rural communities.

A brown bear gnaws on the bars of its cage in Sunagawa, Japan. (Reuters)

In response, Akita Governor Norihisa Satake sought assistance from the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in late October, as local resources became overwhelmed by the frequent encounters. The military is assisting in noncombat roles, focusing on logistics such as transporting bear carcasses, setting traps, and monitoring forest areas where bears have been active.

Defense officials have emphasized that only licensed hunters are permitted to shoot bears deemed an immediate danger, not the soldiers.

Japan’s hunter population has been shrinking for years, with roughly 60% of licensed hunters now over age 60, according to Reuters. Many of the traditional matagi bear trackers from northern Japan have retired, leaving rural areas with fewer people to respond to emergencies. To fill the gap, local governments in Akita, Niigata and Hokkaido have increased subsidies, training stipends, and per-bear bounties to attract new recruits.

A warning sign is seen at the closed walking trail to the observatory in the Shirakawago district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Oct. 7, 2025 in Hida, Gifu Prefecture of Japan. A Spanish tourist was injured after being attacked by a wild bear in the historical area of Shirakawago here, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its traditional steep-roofed farmhouses.  (VCG via Getty Images)

Experts attribute the surge to a mix of environmental and demographic factors: poor acorn and beech nut harvests, warmer winters delaying hibernation, and rural depopulation that leaves farmland and buffer zones between forests and towns unmanaged. 

The spike in encounters has also reignited a national debate over how to balance conservation with public safety. Bears have long been respected in Japanese folklore and rural culture, symbolizing strength and endurance. But as attacks rise, local residents are demanding stricter control measures, while environmental groups urge humane solutions and better forest management instead of widespread culling.

A brown bear is trapped in a cage in Sunagawa, Japan. (Reuters)

Japan’s Environment Ministry has urged residents to avoid forest edges, secure garbage and food waste, and report bear sightings immediately. Officials describe the situation as a wildlife management crisis, not a war on bears, but for frightened residents in the country’s north, the threat feels alarmingly close to one.