Japan has culled more than 14,000 bears between April 2025 and January 2026 in an attempt to curb a record-breaking surge in human-bear conflicts. Despite the scale of the operation, which targeted approximately 12,000 Asiatic black bears and 2,000 brown bears, the threat to public safety persists. Government data indicates that six people have been killed and over 35 injured in bear-related incidents since April, prompting officials to announce plans for the removal of an additional 8,800 bears in the current fiscal year.
The recent spike in encounters is largely attributed to environmental factors affecting the bears' natural food sources. In mountainous regions such as Akita and Iwate, record-breaking temperatures have disrupted the growth of beech nuts and acorns, forcing animals to venture into populated areas in search of sustenance. This trend follows the deadliest year on record for Japan, during which 13 people were killed and over 230 were attacked.
Conservation Concerns and Policy Shifts
The government’s aggressive culling strategy has drawn sharp criticism from conservation groups, who warn that the current trajectory could lead to regional extinctions. Yuko Muroya, chair of the Japan Bear and Forest Society, argued that a policy focused exclusively on population reduction fails to address the root causes of the conflict. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Asiatic black bear as vulnerable, with global populations estimated at fewer than 60,000. Critics suggest that Japan, which serves as a vital stronghold for the species, should prioritize coexistence measures over mass culling.
The shift toward large-scale culling marks a departure from Japan’s previous, more conservative management approach. Between 2008 and 2018, the country typically culled between 1,000 and 4,500 bears annually. However, a decline in the number of licensed hunters—which has dropped by more than half since 1975—has left local authorities with fewer options for managing bear populations, leading the government to relax regulations on shooting bears in populated areas.
The Challenge of Coexistence
Ecologists note that the current crisis is an unintended consequence of successful conservation efforts over the past several decades. As rural populations moved to cities, abandoned farmland reverted to forest, allowing bear habitats to expand and connect across Honshu. While Japan has been praised for its historical success in conserving the species, experts like Dave Garshelis, co-chair of the IUCN’s bear specialist group, suggest the country failed to plan for the challenges that accompany such ecological recovery.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the Japanese environment ministry released a new protection plan in November 2025. The strategy encourages prefectures to implement preventative measures, including the installation of protective fencing, the removal of fruit trees near residential areas, and the deployment of specialized bear management officers. Some organizations, such as the Japan Bear and Forest Society, are also advocating for long-term habitat restoration, including the planting of nut-bearing trees to keep bear populations within the forests. As the government prepares for further culls, the debate continues over whether these measures will be sufficient to restore the balance between human communities and the country’s wildlife.
