Japan hunts 'highly intelligent' bear amid record casualties

Japan is intensifying efforts to track down a bear described as "extremely intelligent" in Fukushima, amidst a surge in bear-related injuries and fatalities reaching a record high. The government has officially classified bears as a "serious threat to public safety."

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The bear is a serious threat to public safety and the peaceful lives of the people.

According to The Nation, a 2026 environmental white paper approved by the Japanese Cabinet on June 5 revealed that 238 people were injured or killed by bears in fiscal year 2025, the highest number on record. During the same period, over 50,000 bear sightings were reported across the country. The report highlights an alarming increase in human-bear encounters, escalating the animal's status to a significant public safety concern.

In response, the Japanese government authorized local authorities in September 2025 to shoot bears in residential areas during emergencies to protect residents. The report also noted the urgent need to train a new generation of skilled hunters, as the current workforce is aging. The Environment Ministry's bear response manual advises people not to panic, to move slowly, and to avoid running if they encounter a bear. If attacked, individuals should lie face down, curl up, and protect their neck.

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Don't panic, move slowly, and avoid running away when you encounter a bear.

Recent incidents include a bear in Fukushima, approximately 1 meter long, that attacked four people before escaping by unlocking a window from the inside. Witnesses reported the bear using its paws to turn on a faucet to drink and showing little reaction to tranquilizer darts. A large-scale search involving local officials, police, hunters, and drones is underway, but the bear remains at large. Local schools, initially closed on June 5, have since reopened with enhanced safety measures, including securing ground-floor doors and windows.

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The bear is extremely intelligent.