Japan has deployed troops to its rugged northern regions to help local authorities trap bears, following an unprecedented surge in attacks that has left communities fearful and overwhelmed.
The operation began Wednesday in Kazuno, a mountain town in Akita Prefecture, where bear sightings have skyrocketed in recent months. Residents have been urged to avoid wooded areas and stay indoors after dark as bears increasingly wander into towns searching for food.
“Even if just temporary, the SDF’s help is a big relief,” said Yasuhiro Kitakata, who oversees Kazuno’s bear response efforts. “I used to think bears would run away from noise — now they come toward you. They’re truly frightening animals.”
According to Japan’s Environment Ministry, there have been more than 100 bear attacks since April, leaving a record 12 people dead, mostly in Akita and neighbouring Iwate. Bear sightings in Akita have surged sixfold to over 8,000 this year, prompting the governor to request help from the Self-Defense Forces (SDF).
Kazuno’s Mayor Shinji Sasamoto said the threat has disrupted daily life, with residents cancelling events and avoiding outdoor activities. “The townspeople feel the danger every day,” he said after welcoming about 15 SDF soldiers equipped with armour and bear traps.
The troops are assisting with the transport, setup and inspection of steel-barred traps used to capture bears, which are later culled by licensed hunters. The soldiers, some carrying shields and wooden poles, learned how to assemble and load traps under the guidance of local forestry officials.
After completing their mission in Kazuno, the troops will move to nearby Odate and Kitaakita, continuing the operation through late November.
Recent bear attacks have shocked Japan — including one at a supermarket, another near a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one at a hot spring resort. Several schools have also closed temporarily after bears were spotted nearby.
Experts say climate change and food shortages in the wild, combined with rural depopulation and an ageing hunter population, have driven the animals closer to people.
“Last year there was plenty of food in the mountains, and many cubs were born. This year, the food supply has run out,” Kitakata explained.
Japan is home to two bear species: the Japanese black bear, which can weigh up to 130 kg, and the brown bear on Hokkaido, which can reach 400 kg.
The government plans to announce a set of emergency measures later this month, including recruiting more licensed hunters and expanding permissions to shoot bears in populated areas.
“As bears continue to enter populated regions and injuries increase daily, we absolutely cannot afford to delay countermeasures,” said Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato.
