Residents across Japan are altering their daily routines as bear encounters surge, raising concerns about public safety and the country’s capacity to manage the growing threat. The increase in incidents—ranging from sightings in mountainous forests to intrusions into residential and farming areas—has prompted authorities to issue warnings and intensify efforts to better understand bear populations nationwide.
Jeff Kingston, an American academic residing in Tokyo with a lodge in Gunma prefecture, has long experienced frequent bear encounters during walks in the local hills. After a serious attack in 2014 that left him with a severe head wound, Kingston now avoids entering the mountains when possible, opting to carry bear spray and a baseball bat when he does. His caution underscores a broader national trend: bear attacks and sightings have climbed significantly in recent years.
In the 2025 financial year, 13 people died in bear attacks, with 238 injuries reported. So far in the current financial year, authorities have documented six fatalities and 49 injuries. Approximately 60% of these attacks occurred in mountain forests, while around 30% took place in residential or agricultural areas. The rising number of incidents is linked to bears’ increasing activity as they seek food to prepare for hibernation, a situation exacerbated this year by poor harvests of staple crops such as acorns and chestnuts in some regions.
Gunma prefecture recently warned residents and visitors that the scarcity of these natural food sources may drive bears toward villages and suburban areas. The prefectural government has introduced an online map detailing recent bear sightings and has disseminated guidance on responding to encounters. Officials recommend slowly retreating while facing the animal, avoiding loud noises, and attempting to place obstacles between people and bears to reduce the risk of attacks.
Efforts to track and manage bear populations, however, remain fragmented. Until recently, tracking was conducted independently by prefectural authorities, using varied methods and often failing to account for bears traveling across administrative borders. To address this gap, the Environment Ministry launched a comprehensive survey in June aimed at establishing a unified system. This initiative involves deploying over 800 automated trail cameras in forests and mountainous areas of Niigata and the six prefectures in the northeastern Tohoku region, with plans to expand nationwide over the next four years.
Hiromi Tsuruga, a bear expert at the Hokkaido Research Organisation, explained that the ministry combines two main monitoring methods: identifying bears individually through unique chest markings captured by camera traps, and collecting bear hair specimens to analyze DNA. This data is then used alongside statistical models to estimate population sizes more accurately.
Still, Tsuruga notes that persistently low fruit yields, such as persimmons, may increase bear movements closer to human habitats. Recent events illustrate the ongoing risk: last week, a bear and its cub were spotted blocking a rural road in Hokkaido, with the mother bear aggressively attacking a vehicle. Last month, a black bear was detected on camera at Mount Takao, a popular hiking destination near Tokyo, prompting city officials to issue an early warning and caution visitors.
As Japan enters the critical months before hibernation, local governments continue urging vigilance, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and coexistence strategies amid a complex and evolving challenge.