Japan Deploys Police to Curb Deadly Bear Attacks

Published: 13 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Japanese authorities have launched a nationwide campaign to cull bears following a surge in attacks, as newly amended rules now allow police to use rifles against the animals.

The northern prefectures of Akita and Iwate, which have recorded the highest number of incidents, held ceremonies on Thursday to mark the start of the operation. Riot police trained in firearms and tactical operations have been deployed to work alongside local law enforcement, forming special teams equipped to tackle the increasingly frequent and dangerous encounters with bears.

At least 13 people have died since April, marking a record-high toll from bear attacks. This month, a man in his 50s was slashed on the back of his head while walking in Fukushima prefecture but escaped to safety. In October, a worker at a hot spring resort in Kitakami, Iwate, was killed after being mauled while cleaning an outdoor bath.

Authorities say conventional police handguns are insufficient against the Asiatic black bears, a vulnerable species whose population has tripled since 2012. Experts attribute the increase to hunting restrictions and warmer winters that extend foraging seasons.

To contain the crisis, two teams—including a commanding officer, a liaison, and two snipers—will be sent to each affected prefecture. Japan’s Self-Defence Forces have also been deployed in Akita to help set and inspect traps, responding to appeals from overstretched local authorities.

Residents report that bears are increasingly venturing into villages and commercial areas, likely driven by dwindling natural food supplies ahead of winter hibernation. Despite a shortage of hunters, more than 9,000 bears were culled in 2023-24, with over 4,200 killed between April and September this year, including 1,000 in Akita prefecture alone.

The government reinstated population control measures in 2024, and legislation passed in September allows municipalities to call on hunters for “emergency shootings” to prevent bear attacks. Police officials emphasise that safeguarding civilians remains the top priority as Japan grapples with an unprecedented rise in deadly wildlife encounters.