Overview
- Separate incidents on Oct. 24 in Akita and Toyama left one person dead and four injured, according to police and local officials.
- The national toll has reached nine fatalities in fiscal 2025, the highest on record, with more than 100 people killed or injured so far this year.
- Japan’s environment minister pledged tougher action, including securing and training government hunters and stepping up population management.
- Prefectures are intensifying responses, with Sendai using a new rule on Oct. 15 that allows local-authority-approved shootings of bears in inhabited areas.
- Akita’s governor said he will ask for consideration of Self-Defence Forces support as attacks grow more serious in the prefecture.