Japan Deploys Military Forces to Tackle Surge in Bear Attacks

Japan has deployed its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to assist local authorities in managing a sharp rise in bear attacks across several regions, following multiple reports of human casualties and widespread fear.

According to The Japan Times, at least 12 people have been killed and more than 100 injured since the beginning of 2025, marking the highest number of bear-related incidents ever recorded in the country. 

Most attacks have occurred in northern prefectures, including Akita, Iwate, and Fukushima.

Defense officials clarified that the SDF’s role will be entirely non-combat, focusing on logistical support such as transporting bodies, setting traps, and patrolling forested areas where bears have been sighted. 

Only licensed hunters, not soldiers, are authorized to shoot bears posing an immediate threat.

The governor of Akita, Norihisa Satake, formally requested military assistance in late October after bears were spotted near schools and shopping areas, prompting local lockdowns and business closures.

Experts attribute the rise in attacks to several environmental and demographic factors, including poor acorn and beech harvests, milder winters delaying hibernation, and rural depopulation leaving vast farmlands unmanaged.

The spike in encounters has reignited national debate over balancing environmental conservation with public safety. While bears are revered in Japanese folklore as symbols of strength and resilience, communities affected by the attacks are demanding stricter control measures. 

Meanwhile, environmental groups advocate for humane solutions and improved forest management instead of widespread culling.