Why are there so many bear sightings in Japan recently?

Increased bear sightings are due to a larger bear population, habitat loss, and a scarcity of natural food sources, pushing them into urban areas.

What should I do if I encounter a bear in Kyoto?

If you see a bear, signs advise to crouch down and protect your head and neck. A QR code links to sighting information.

What is Japan doing about the bear attacks?

Japan is deploying emergency measures, including distributing firearms and protective gear to police, and has approved a supplementary budget to fund these actions.

Home / Environment / Japan Battles Record Bear Incursions: Cities Act Fast

Japan Battles Record Bear Incursions: Cities Act Fast

1 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Kyoto installs multilingual signs warning of bear encounters.
Japan faces record bear activity with 13 recorded deaths since April.
Rising bear numbers linked to habitat loss and food scarcity.

Japan Battles Record Bear Incursions: Cities Act Fast

Japan is grappling with an unprecedented surge in bear activity, prompting cities like Kyoto to install multilingual warning signs. These signs, in languages including English, Chinese, and Korean, offer guidance on encountering Asiatic black bears. This initiative comes as Japan witnesses its most intense period of bear incursions on record.

Since April, a staggering 13 people have lost their lives in bear attacks, with incidents of bears entering homes and commercial areas becoming alarmingly frequent. Over 220 people have been injured nationwide. In response, the National Police Agency is distributing rifles and protective gear to affected prefectures, supported by a supplementary budget of 480 million yen.

The escalating encounters are linked to a tripling of Japan's bear population since 2012, exacerbated by habitat loss and food scarcity. Poor harvests of acorns and beech nuts are forcing bears into populated areas in search of sustenance before hibernation, compounded by rural depopulation creating ideal cover for them.