Hotspots, causes and response

Bear sightings and attacks have climbed to record highs across parts of Japan as early cold snaps drive animals toward towns in search of food. In Fukushima Prefecture, a bear wandered through a hot-spring hotel area for hours, halting business and keeping residents indoors until it disappeared before dawn. Local governments have advised people to avoid unnecessary outings, secure garbage and use bells or radios on mountain trails. Roadside signboards now flash wildlife alerts alongside traffic updates. Police and municipal hunters have boosted patrols near orchards and riverbanks where bears forage.

Several factors are converging. Poor mast yields—acorns, beechnuts and chestnuts—can push bears lower from the mountains. Aging rural populations mean fewer people maintain traditional buffer zones around settlements. Vacant homes and overgrown fields give cover for animals moving at night. Warmer summers followed by abrupt cold snaps distort feeding patterns, with bears lingering near human food sources before denning. Officials say most incidents involve startled animals, not targeted aggression, but any encounter can turn dangerous, especially near cubs.

Mitigation emphasizes prevention. Towns are trimming vegetation near schools and bus stops, installing motion-sensor lighting and distributing bear-repellent sprays to forestry workers. Farmers are using solar-powered electric fencing to protect persimmons and sweet potatoes, while volunteer groups teach residents how to log sightings with location apps. Hiking groups recommend making noise, traveling in small clusters and carrying whistles. Waste rules are tightening to reduce attractants, with fixed pickup times and locked cages.

Longer term, wildlife managers are debating how to balance culls with non-lethal tools. Relocation is difficult; bears often return or struggle to adapt. Sterilization programs are costly and limited. Data sharing among prefectures could help map corridors and concentrate fencing where it matters most. Insurance schemes for farm damage, plus subsidies for fencing and fruit netting, may reduce pressure for lethal control. Experts stress public education, seasonal alerts and coordinated response plans across jurisdictions.