In response to a marked increase in bear attacks, Japan is employing a range of advanced technological measures to enhance public safety and manage wildlife encounters. The trend reflects a growing challenge facing rural communities as Asian black bears and Ussuri brown bears increasingly venture into populated areas.

The rise in bear incidents has been substantial. During fiscal 2025, a record 238 people were injured, and 13 died from bear attacks nationwide, according to the Ministry of the Environment. In the first five months of fiscal 2026, there were 62 reported injuries and six fatalities. Experts attribute this surge to various factors, including demographic shifts with rural depopulation and urban migration, expanding bear habitats, climate change, and a declining hunting population. Additionally, bears are appearing bolder, often entering human settlements in search of food.

Local communities have turned to technological innovations to protect residents and track bear movements. In Showa, a village in northeastern Japan where a resident was bitten last October, officials began deploying drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras originally intended for mountain rescue missions. These drones can detect the heat signatures of bears and even the residual heat left along animal trails hidden beneath dense forest canopies, facilitating more effective monitoring and capture efforts.

Similarly, Sendai city uses an AI-powered system called B Alert, which leverages cloud-based cameras trained on tens of thousands of wildlife images to identify bears with up to 99.9 percent accuracy. This technology guides authorities on where to set traps or install electric fencing, improving response efficiency. The system is currently operational in 29 municipalities, with additional interest from other regions and organizations.

Researchers at Sophia University have developed AI-generated maps that integrate bear sighting records, census information, and satellite imagery to predict areas at higher risk of bear encounters. These tools aim to assist individuals traveling in unfamiliar rural areas, with accuracy estimated at around 70 percent.

Complementing detection efforts, a startup affiliated with the University of Tokyo is trialing AI-guided robotic patrols. These four-legged robots can navigate challenging terrain, including steep slopes and dense undergrowth, to detect bears and discourage their approach.

Hunting remains the primary method for controlling bear populations, and digital tools have improved hunter coordination and safety. In Shibetsu, northern Japan, a GPS-based system allows hunting teams, police, and local authorities to share real-time location data, reducing accidental injuries and enhancing operational effectiveness.

Despite these technological advances, experts caution against overreliance on technology. Shinsuke Koike of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology notes that the growing frequency of attacks necessitates heightened vigilance, while Iwate University wildlife management professor Kiyoshi Yamauchi warns that bears’ adaptability and strong food motivations may diminish the long-term effectiveness of any single measure. Yamauchi emphasizes the need for careful integration of new tools and ongoing assessment to address the evolving challenge of human-bear coexistence in Japan.