Why are bears attacking people in Japan more often in 2025?

Bear attacks have increased due to a growing bear population, climate change affecting food sources, and shrinking rural communities.

What measures is Japan taking against the surge in bear attacks?

Japan is deploying hunters, police, and military, using drones, traps, and allowing police to shoot bears classified as controlled animals.

Are there specific regions in Japan most affected by bear attacks?

Akita prefecture in northern Japan is a front line of the bear crisis, experiencing many of the most severe encounters.

Home / Environment / Japan's Bear Crisis: Attacks Surge Unprecedentedly

Japan's Bear Crisis: Attacks Surge Unprecedentedly

1 Jan

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Summary

235 bear attacks and 13 deaths recorded by November 2025.
Climate change and shrinking rural populations fuel bear encounters.
Unprecedented rise prompts wildlife alerts and new defense strategies.

Japan's Bear Crisis: Attacks Surge Unprecedentedly

Japan is confronting an alarming escalation in bear-related incidents, marking the highest figures since record-keeping began in 2006. As of November 2025, 235 attacks resulted in 13 fatalities nationwide, with Akita prefecture emerging as a primary frontline. Bears have been observed in unexpected locations, including urban areas, prompting heightened concern among residents, particularly in scenic, mountainous northern regions. These encounters have forced drastic measures, such as school principals patrolling to ensure student safety and residents taking precautions like carrying bear bells.

The escalating problem is attributed to several factors, including a growing bear population coexisting with an aging and shrinking rural demographic, which leaves more territory for wildlife. Furthermore, climate change has disrupted the bears' natural food sources, driving them into populated areas in search of sustenance. This has led to bears breaking into businesses, raiding orchards, and attacking individuals, often older residents in rural settings who are hiking or foraging.