Over 100 Bear Attacks, 12 Deaths So Far: Japan Deploys Military To Prevent Attacks

The unusual increase in bear attacks in Japan has led to the country’s military being officially deployed. Since April, more than 100 people have been attacked by bears, including 12 deaths—the highest in decades.

The situation has been particularly dire in the Akita and Iwate regions of northern Japan, where most of the deaths have occurred.

Bears have been uncharacteristically brave in recent weeks. They have attacked customers in supermarkets, mauled tourists at bus stops, and even brutally attacked employees at hot spring resorts. Several schools have been temporarily closed for the safety of students after bears were spotted.

Military Deployment For Bear

At the request of the governor of Akita, Japan’s Defense Ministry has decided to send troops. However, the role of the military is not to hunt or shoot directly. They are setting steel-barred box traps, transporting captured animals and assisting trained hunters.

The troops are carrying bear spray and self-defense equipment. The special deployment is said to last until at least November.

According to government estimates, there are currently more than 54,000 brown and Asian black bears in the country. The bears enter human settlements almost every day in search of food before the hibernation season.

Meanwhile, climate change, food shortages in forests and the rapid decline of rural populations are making bears bolder than before and entering human areas.

Locals’ Panic And Efforts

Bear sightings in Akita have increased six-fold from last year to more than 8,000. As a result, residents are afraid to go out after dark. Some are trying to scare the bears away by playing radios, while others are keeping their doors and windows tightly closed.

The damage to local fruit farmers is also not small—many say that bears have come and eaten hundreds of apples or various fruits.

Social Media Reaction

There is a lot of discussion on social media about this turn of events. Many are commenting that Japan could have found a more humane and long-term solution instead of deploying military forces so quickly.

Some are citing examples and saying that just as there are special islands for deer, it is possible to relocate bears to safer areas.

Many users have made the claim that rehabilitation should be the main way instead of killing animals.

Various users lamented that humans have encroached on the habitats of animals, so it is not unusual for bears to descend on villages and cities in search of food. Some have criticized the administration for its poor management

Others say that human lives certainly deserve priority, but the degradation of nature, deforestation, and climate change have changed the behavior of bears—this responsibility cannot be avoided by humans, while others have expressed sympathy and said that it is important to find sustainable solutions now to protect the coexistence of humans and wildlife.

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Japan deployed military troops this week to help contain a surge in bear attacks in the northern Akita prefecture. Officials say that, since April, at least 12 people have been killed and more than 100 others have been injured in the attacks as the bears forage for food ahead of their hibernation season. Bears have been sighted near schools, grocery stores and train stations. According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense, soldiers will set traps, transport local hunters and help dispose of the dead bears, but won’t use firearms. #NPR

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