Overview
- Governor Yoshimura announced on May 27 that Yamagata Prefecture is formally considering creating a new "bear special warning" tier after a series of bear incidents and a recent fatal attack.
- Prefectural departments are now drafting specific issuance criteria to sit above the existing advisory and warning system so officials can target stronger public guidance.
- Officials say the special warning would allow explicit requests to refrain from high-risk activities like mountain-vegetable (sansai) gathering while stopping short of banning commercial sale or processing.
- Under the current rules a warning is issued when there are 10 or more urban sightings in a week or when a fatal accident occurs, and Yamagata used the existing warning on April 30 this year.
- The move follows similar steps in nearby prefectures to tighten warning standards and could change how residents plan outdoor work and festivals, with public safety weighed against local livelihoods.