Japan to Survey Bear Populations Amidst Surge in Human Attacks

The recent surge in bear attacks across Japan, culminating in a record number of human casualties, has prompted the Environment Ministry to launch a comprehensive population survey. Starting in June, the ministry will deploy around 800 cameras across the Tohoku region and neighboring prefectures to estimate black bear numbers. This initiative reflects a growing concern over human-wildlife conflict, particularly as bears are increasingly sighted in areas closer to human settlements. While the survey focuses on Tohoku for black bears, plans are also in place to use hair collection methods for brown bears in Hokkaido and to assess the small black bear population on Shikoku. The ministry aims to release its findings by early 2027, hoping to inform future conservation and mitigation strategies. This proactive approach underscores Japan's commitment to balancing human safety with wildlife preservation, acknowledging the need for data-driven solutions to manage these encounters.

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Camera traps and other means will be used to help count black bears in the six prefectures of Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Yamagata, Miyagi and Fukushima – collectively known as Tohoku – as well as adjacent Niigata, with the estimates to be released possibly by early 2027.