Japan has deployed troops to the northern prefecture of Akita to help address a significant surge in bear attacks that have instilled fear among local residents. This deployment comes as reports of often deadly encounters with both brown bears and Asiatic black bears are becoming almost daily occurrences, particularly as the animals actively forage for food ahead of their hibernation season. Bears have been sighted in various public areas, including near schools, train stations, supermarkets, and even at a hot springs resort.

According to Environment Ministry statistics from the end of October, more than 100 people across Japan have been injured and at least 12 killed in bear attacks since April. This growing problem is exacerbated by the increasing bear population's encroachment into residential areas, particularly in a region like Akita which faces a rapidly aging and declining human population, resulting in a shortage of individuals trained in hunting these animals. The government has estimated the overall bear population to be over 54,000.

The Defense Ministry and Akita prefecture formalized an agreement on Wednesday to deploy soldiers, whose responsibilities will include setting box traps baited with food, providing transportation for local hunters, and assisting in the disposal of deceased bears. Officials have explicitly stated that these soldiers will not be using firearms for bear culling. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Fumitoshi Sato emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting, “Every day, bears intrude into residential areas in the region and their impact is expanding.”

The operation commenced in a forested area within Kazuno city, a location that has seen numerous bear sightings and reports of injuries. Soldiers, equipped with white helmets, bulletproof vests, bear spray, and net launchers, were observed setting up a bear trap near an orchard. Takahiro Ikeda, an orchard operator in the area, reported devastating losses, with bears consuming over 200 of his ripe apples, stating his heart was “broken.” Akita Governor Kenta Suzuki conveyed the local authorities' desperation due to insufficient manpower to manage the crisis.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi clarified on Tuesday that while the bear mission aims to safeguard daily life, the primary duty of service members remains national defense, indicating that support for the bear response cannot be unlimited, especially given the Japanese Self-Defense Forces are already understaffed. The ministry has not yet received similar requests for troop assistance from other prefectures grappling with bear issues.

In Akita prefecture alone, with a population of approximately 880,000, bears have attacked over 50 individuals since May, resulting in at least four fatalities, as reported by the local government. Experts highlight that most of these attacks have occurred in residential zones. Incidents include an older woman found dead after mushroom-hunting in Yuzawa city, another older woman killed while working on a farm in Akita city, and a newspaper delivery man attacked and injured in Akita city. A resident in Akita city recently filmed two bears on a persimmon tree in her garden, observing them for about 30 minutes, noting their apparent attempt to enter her room at one point. Abandoned neighborhoods and farmlands, particularly those with persimmon or chestnut trees, frequently lure bears into populated areas, and once a food source is discovered, bears tend to return.

Experts attribute part of the escalating problem to Japan's aging and declining population in rural areas. They contend that the bear population is not endangered and requires culling to maintain control. Furthermore, the local hunting community is also aging and lacks experience in bear hunting. Experts propose that police and other governmental authorities should receive training to become “government hunters” to assist in controlling the bear population. In response, the government established a task force last week, tasked with developing an official bear response strategy by mid-November. This strategy is expected to include bear population surveys, the implementation of communication devices for issuing bear warnings, and revisions to existing hunting regulations. The Environment Ministry also noted that a lack of preventive measures in the northern regions has contributed to the increase in the bear population.