Military Operation Begins in Kazuno as Bear Attacks Surge Nationwide
Japan has deployed military troops to its northern mountains to help trap bears following a record wave of deadly attacks. The deployment began in the town of Kazuno, where residents have been warned for weeks to stay indoors after dark, avoid nearby forests, and carry bells to scare away foraging bears.
According to Japan’s Environment Ministry, more than 100 bear attacks have been reported across the country since April, resulting in a record 12 deaths. Around two-thirds of these fatalities occurred in Akita Prefecture, where Kazuno is located, and neighboring Iwate.
Kazuno Mayor Shinji Sasamoto said the town’s 30,000 residents live in constant fear. “It has affected how people live, forcing them to stop going out or cancel events,” he stated. On Wednesday, about 15 soldiers arrived in Kazuno with body armor, maps, and military trucks to assist in trapping the bears.
The troops will help set and inspect box traps used to capture the animals, though the actual culling will be carried out by trained hunters armed with appropriate weapons.
Bear Sightings Surge as Troops Expand Operations
Officials in Akita reported that bear sightings have risen six-fold this year, exceeding 8,000 incidents. The prefecture’s governor requested military support from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) last week. After completing operations in Kazuno, troops will move to Odate and Kitaakita, with the mission expected to continue until the end of November.
Kazuno, known for its hot springs and scenic landscapes, has faced growing safety concerns after several shocking incidents. In recent weeks, bears have attacked customers in a supermarket, mauled a worker at a hot spring resort, and even pounced on a tourist waiting near a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some schools have been forced to close temporarily after bear sightings near school grounds.
Experts attribute the rise in attacks to climate change, which has disrupted the natural food supply for bears, and to rural depopulation, which has reduced human activity that once kept wildlife away. The declining number of active hunters has also made managing bear populations more difficult.
Government Announces Emergency Bear Control Measures
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato said Tokyo will soon unveil a broad emergency plan to combat the growing threat. Measures will include recruiting more licensed hunters and expanding permissions for firearm use in urban areas. The government already relaxed gun laws in September to make it easier for hunters to shoot bears entering populated zones.
“As bears continue to invade populated areas and injuries rise daily, we cannot afford to delay countermeasures,” Sato warned.
This is not the first time Japan has used its military for wildlife control. In past decades, the Self-Defense Forces provided aerial surveillance for deer culls and assisted in sea lion population control to protect fisheries.
Bear encounters typically peak in October and November, when bears intensify foraging before winter hibernation. Japanese black bears can weigh up to 130 kilograms (287 pounds), while the brown bears of Hokkaido can reach 400 kilograms (882 pounds).
