Home / Environment / Tokyo Bears Back: Hunting Ban Lifted After 20 Years
Tokyo Bears Back: Hunting Ban Lifted After 20 Years
2 Sep
Summary
- Tokyo to cull ~34 bears annually starting April next year.
- Bear sightings in Tokyo have tripled since 2021.
- Hungry bears cited for increased urban presence due to climate change.
After a two-decade hiatus, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is set to resume hunting Asian black bears. This policy shift, detailed in a new five-year management plan, will permit licensed hunters to cull an estimated 34 bears each year, commencing in April 2027. The measure targets municipalities in Western Tokyo and riverbank areas where bears frequently approach urban zones.
The necessity for this action stems from a significant increase in bear activity. Since 2021, sightings have escalated from 70 to 213 annually, with an alarming rise in sightings within 200 meters of residential and farming areas, now exceeding 40%.
Experts point to several contributing factors for the increased human-bear encounters. Climate change is believed to be affecting acorn and nut harvests, driving hungry bears from their natural habitats. Additionally, depopulation has reduced rural buffer zones, and changing hibernation patterns are also cited.
While bear attacks in Tokyo have been minimal with no fatalities, the situation contrasts with the Tohoku region, which has experienced six fatal incidents since April 2025. Fiscal year 2025 also saw a record 13 bear-related fatalities nationwide, highlighting a broader issue across Japan.
