Overview
- Bear encounters this year have left 235 people injured and 13 dead across 21 prefectures, according to NHK figures through 10 December.
- About 330 Monster Wolf units are now deployed in bear-prone areas, and Ohta Seiki reports inquiries have tripled, including some from overseas.
- Authorities have escalated their response, deploying the Self-Defense Forces to assist trapping in Akita and revising rules to let riot police shoot bears in specified situations.
- Wildlife experts warn the robots’ flashing lights and loud sounds could lose effectiveness as bears learn there is no actual harm.
- Researchers link surges in town incursions to food shortages and project a likely poor beech-nut harvest in 2027 that could fuel future conflicts.