Overview
- A man in his 50s was injured in a Nov. 7 bear attack in Aizubange, Fukushima, days after an elderly resident was mauled nearby, prompting police patrols and fresh warnings.
- Since April, at least 13 people have been killed and more than 100 injured nationwide, with roughly two-thirds of the fatalities in Akita and Iwate, including five deaths in Iwate and four in Akita.
- Following urgent local requests, the Defense Ministry deployed GSDF units to Akita this week to set and inspect box traps, transport hunters, and remove carcasses, with troops not authorized to shoot bears.
- Researchers cite a fast-growing bear population and a poor acorn harvest as key drivers, with government estimates of around 12,000 brown bears and 42,000 Asian black bears contributing to more encounters.
- Local economies are feeling the strain, with park closures in Akita and sharp drops in bookings at hot-spring resorts such as Motoyugeto, which reports about 20% cancellations and steep declines in day visitors.