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Japan’s military is on the ground facing a new challenge: bears

When Japanese soldiers arrived in the northern prefecture of Akita on Thursday, they prepared to face a new kind of threat – one with fuzzy ears and up to 220 pounds of mass.

This mountainous region is known for its lush forests, lakes and valleys – and for being a hotspot for this year’s deadly bear attacks in Japan.

“The situation has already surpassed what the prefecture and municipalities can handle on their own, and exhaustion on the ground is reaching its limit,” said Akita Gov. Kenta Suzuki in an Instagram post last month.

It’s a national problem, fueled by the climate crisis and habitat change. Across Japan, at least 13 people have been killed and more than 100 injured since April this year, according to government figures – some of the highest numbers since records began in 2006.

Police units sent to Akita, Iwate get OK to shoot bears with rifles

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Officials from the National Police Agency meet with local authorities at the Iwate prefectural government office in Morioka on Nov. 5 to discuss bear control measures. (Tatsuro Sakata)

The National Police Agency is deploying armed riot police units to Akita and Iwate prefectures to assist with this year’s alarming number of bear sightings and attacks.

Specially trained officers will be allowed to use rifles starting Nov. 13 if local hunters are unavailable or unable to respond quickly.

Normally assigned to counterterrorism duties, officers will undergo training in bear behavior and conduct shooting drills.

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