In an unprecedented surge, bear attacks in Japan are on the rise, with these creatures struggling to find sustenance in their natural habitats. Since April, bears have caused no less than 158 injuries and claimed two lives, equalling the record established in 2020, as reported by media outlets. The majority of these attacks have been concentrated in the northern region of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, as confirmed by the environment ministry.
The surge in bear encounters is attributed to a combination of bumper crops of acorns and beechnuts in the previous year, which resulted in the presence of larger bear cubs. Simultaneously, a shortage of these essential dietary staples this year is compelling more animals to venture into populated areas in search of nourishment before their impending hibernation, scheduled for early December.
Previously, bear-human encounters largely involved individuals venturing into the forests to forage for wild vegetation or unsuspecting hikers. However, the boundary between the bears’ forest domains and depopulated villages has blurred, resulting in more frequent interactions with humans in urban areas.
According to Kyodo news agency, 15 out of Japan’s 47 prefectures have reported bear attacks in the six months leading up to September. The highest number of incidents occurred in Akita, situated in the far north of Honshu, followed by Iwate and Fukushima.
Iwate authorities disclosed that more than half of this year’s attacks happened in or near people’s residences. Shockingly, one-fifth of the victims had taken precautions, such as carrying bells designed to deter bears when they became targets.
In a recent incident in Akita, a bear attacked six individuals in an urban area in a single day, including an elderly woman and a schoolgirl waiting at a bus stop. Three of these attacks transpired in a neighborhood replete with shops, homes, and a hospital.
The ordeal faced by a 66-year-old man in the prefecture paints a harrowing picture of such encounters. In a disturbing encounter, he found himself face-to-face with a bear in his garage, resulting in serious injuries. “He was facing me, and our eyes met,” he recounted. “I didn’t think I stood a chance and immediately started to run away.” The bear, growling ominously, knocked the man to the ground, eventually biting him on the head. “There was nothing I could do,” he lamented.
The environment ministry has described this surge in bear attacks as “extraordinary,” while the environment minister, Shintaro Ito, has urged the public to dispose of household food waste properly, as it can attract these animals. It is also essential to ensure that doors are kept closed. Farmers have been advised against leaving fallen fruit on the ground.
Tragically, a man was found mauled to death in Iwate, marking the first bear attack fatality in the area in over a decade. In Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island, authorities discovered the severed head of an angler, believed to be a bear attack victim.
The governor of Iwate, Takuya Tasso, emphasized the importance of vigilance, stating that relying on previous experiences where individuals encountered bears unharmed was no longer a viable option. Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK, recently broadcast a program offering guidance on bear encounters. It emphasizes carrying bear repellent spray and advises against making eye contact or attempting to flee under any circumstances. Businesses have reported increased sales of items designed to deter bears, including bells, whistles, and portable radios.
Bear sightings in Japan have seen an almost 4,000 increase compared to the same period last year, totaling nearly 15,000 this year. The Izu peninsula, which witnessed wild bears in 2021 for the first time in a century, has not been spared. In a recent incident, a campsite near Tokyo had to be temporarily closed due to bear sightings.
Conservationists are calling for more robust measures to ensure an adequate supply of acorns and other food sources. Suggestions include establishing secure feeding areas to prevent bears from encroaching into populated regions and leaving acorn supplies in elevated areas.
The bear population in Japan is on the rise, with a recent estimate by Yomiuri estimating the black bear population at 44,000, compared to the 15,000 estimated by the environment ministry’s biodiversity center in 2012. This estimate does not include Hokkaido, thought to be the home of approximately 11,700 Ussuri brown bears, whose population has more than doubled since 1990.
These recent incidents evoke the memory of Japan’s deadliest bear attacks collectively known as the Sankebetsu incident. In 1915, a colossal 2.7-meter (8ft 10in) brown bear weighing 340 kg (750lb) killed seven villagers and injured three others on Hokkaido. The rampage of this bear, which inspired novels, radio broadcasts, stage productions, and a film, ended when a hunter tracked down and shot the creature.
