BRINGING BEAR NUMBERS DOWN
The Asiatic black bear is listed as a vulnerable species globally, but Japan faces a different challenge at home.
According to environment ministry estimates released in March, there are about 58,000 bears in the country, including brown bears found on Hokkaido.
The authorities are trying to bring the numbers down as encounters rise.
A record 14,618 bears were culled from April 2025 to March 2026, according to the ministry’s latest preliminary figures.
In some of the worst-affected regions, including Chubu, the government aims to reduce bear populations by more than 30 per cent by fiscal year 2030.
Population control is only part of its strategy.
A roadmap was introduced in March aimed at preventing bears from entering human habitats. The authorities are also trying to secure more government hunters and establish a sanctuary for bears.