At their limits the inhabitants of its northern cities Japan from the continuous attacks they receive from hungry women bears which descend on urban tissues in order to find food. Overall 10 people have lost their lives since the beginning of the year, a number that is considered a record as it surpasses the 6 deaths recorded in the period April 2023-March 2024.
A governor in northern Japan today (28.10.2025) asked for the military’s help to deal with ongoing bear attacks. “We are now in a situation where the lives of our citizens cannot be protected without the help of the Self-Defense Forces,” Akita Governor Kenta Suzuki said at a meeting with the defense minister in Tokyo.
“Attacks targeting the neck and face are extremely common, causing really serious injuries,” he said, stressing that bears no longer only appear in the mountains but also in urban areas.
New Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said his ministry would “make full use of its capabilities and powers” to restore security and calm, while Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara spoke of a “serious problem”.
The 10 dead figure does not include those who died more recently and whose deaths may also be attributed to a bear attack. On Monday, a woman was found dead near rice fields in Akita, while one man was detected without the senses in neighboring Iwate Prefecture, according to local media. In both incidents there are indications of bear attacks.
Recently, bears attacked tourists, they entered stores and appeared near schools and parks, mainly in the northern part of the country.
Starving due to lack of food – due to climate change – bears are increasingly moving towards cities where the population of residents is declining and aging. Experts emphasize that due to global warming, the hibernation habits of animals have also been affected, which continue to be active for a longer period of time.
Last month, Japan relaxed gun rules to make it easier for hunters to use them in urban areas after a rise in bear attacks.