Japan’s bear attacks have become a ‘serious problem’ after multiple new injuries and nine deaths
What was once a concern largely confined in the wild is rapidly becoming an issue in one of the world’s most favourite tourist destinations.
Japan has doubled down on its response to a record number of gruesome bear attacks this year.
What was once a concern largely confined to hikers and foragers in Japan’s forests is now a growing issue in cities and towns. As bears increasingly wander from their mountain habitats in search of food, authorities are warning residents in populated areas to learn how to protect themselves.
In recent weeks, reports of bear sightings and attacks have been recorded almost daily. In Akita prefecture alone, a jogger and a pedestrian were attacked in urban areas, while another bear chased four people before breaking into a house. None of these people were seriously injured, but not all encounters have ended so fortunately.
Since April, nine people across Japan have died in bear attacks, the highest toll ever recorded in a single year, according to the environment ministry.
With the threat mounting, both government agencies and the media are stepping up efforts to educate the public. Experts stress that the key during an encounter is to remain calm: do not make eye contact, avoid sudden movements, and slowly back away without turning your back.
Running or climbing a tree, they warn, is futile. Bears are simply faster and more agile than humans.
If an attack cannot be avoided, the recommended response is to lie flat, face down, shielding the head and neck.
A study by Akita University, which examined 70 bear attack cases in the prefecture, found that victims who used this tactic escaped with less serious injuries.
All seven people who lay face down and covered their heads suffered only minor wounds, researchers found.
Preventive steps include carrying a bell or whistle to announce one’s presence, walking in groups, and using bear spray, though the latter is not widely available in Japan.
Officials also caution against hiking at dawn or dusk, when bears are most active, and against leaving food or rubbish outdoors.
Japan is home to an estimated 44,000 Asian black bears, found widely across the country, and roughly 12,000 larger Ussuri brown bears, mostly in Hokkaido.
The surge in incidents has left local authorities scrambling. Akita prefecture faces a shortage of licensed hunters, prompting governor Kenta Suzuki to say on social media that he may ask Japan’s self-defence forces to step in, according to the Kyodo news agency.
“The situation has gone beyond what the prefectural and municipal governments can handle,” Suzuki said.
National officials are also taking notice.
Environment minister Hirotaka Ishihara last week called the situation a “serious problem” and pledged to expand hunter training programs and improve bear population management.
Meanwhile, residents are adapting on their own. A hardware store in Gunma prefecture has dedicated an aisle to bells and whistles, while struggling to keep up with demand for bear spray.
Man’s arm ‘snapped off’
Just last week, a New Zealand man living in Japan had his arm “snapped off” in a gruesome bear attack.
32-year-old Billy Halloran was preparing for his first ultra-marathon on the foothills of Myoko, located around three hours by train from Tokyo, when he saw two adult Asiatic black bears ahead of him on the trail.
Having never seen a bear in the wild, despite hiking and running the trails for years, he knew to slowly back away rather than run in the other direction.
Expecting the bears to continue on their way, one of the creatures came running back out of the forest as he slowly passed.
Making himself look as big as possible in an attempt to scare away the large bear — which he said likely weighed more than 60kg — Mr Halloran started to scream as loud as possible as the bear barrelled towards him.
Just five minutes from home, he made it to the car where an ambulance was also waiting not too far away as well.
With the nearest city hospital being a 40 minute drive away, Mr Halloran described the journey as excruciating — the adrenaline had worn off, and no pain relief was given for at least 90 minutes after the attack.
After arriving at the Joetsu Hospital, to date — the 32-year-old has endured three surgeries, with one involving a hip bone graft.
