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U.S. State Department Issues Rare Bear Warning for Americans in Japan Amid Rising Attacks
The U.S. State Department has issued an unusual “wildlife alert” for Americans in Japan, urging heightened caution as bear sightings and attacks reach unprecedented levels in certain regions of the country. This comes as Japan grapples with a concerning surge in bear-related fatalities and injuries.
Since April, at least 13 individuals have been killed by bears in Japan, a figure more than double the five fatalities recorded in the entire 2023-2024 fiscal year. This marks the highest number of bear-related deaths since Japan began tracking such incidents in 2006. Additionally, Environment Ministry statistics reveal over 100 people have sustained injuries from bear encounters since the end of October.
The State Department’s alert, issued on Wednesday, advises Americans to avoid areas with reported bear activity, particularly when walking alone, and to remain acutely aware of their surroundings. Any bear sightings should be immediately reported to local authorities.
The majority of these incidents have been concentrated in northern Japan. The State Department specifically highlighted the Hokkaido and Akita Prefectures, as well as Sapporo City.
In Sapporo, officials temporarily closed a park adjacent to the U.S. Consulate General following a bear sighting.
In response to the escalating situation, troops have recently been deployed to Akita Prefecture to help manage the animal population, and some police officers have been authorized to use lethal force against the bears.
U.S. citizens are also encouraged to register for the Smart-Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This program facilitates the receipt of security messages from the State Department and aids in locating Americans more easily in the event of an emergency.
While the State Department routinely issues travel advisories for countries worldwide-Japan currently maintains a Level 1 advisory, recommending “normal precautions”-it is uncommon for U.S. officials to issue specific warnings regarding wildlife in foreign nations. The State Department has not yet provided information on how many such wildlife warnings have been issued previously.
Bears have been observed in increasingly close proximity to human settlements, with sightings reported near schools, in supermarkets, and even close to Iwate Hanamaki Airport. Experts attribute this concerning trend to several factors. Japan’s aging and declining rural population has led to a reduction in human presence in some areas, allowing forests to reclaim previously inhabited land and bears to expand their territories.
“Then that area recovered to the forest, so bears have a chance to expand their range,” explained biologist Koji Yamazaki of Tokyo University of Agriculture in a 2023 interview.
Furthermore, a dwindling number of experienced local hunters, coupled with a lack of preventative measures in recent years, has contributed to the problem. Climate change is also impacting bear hibernation patterns and the availability of their natural food sources, potentially driving them closer to human areas in search of sustenance.
Japan is home to two primary bear species: the Asian black bear, also known as the moon bear, found throughout the mainland, and the larger brown bear, which inhabits the northern island of Hokkaido. Brown bears can weigh over 1,100 pounds and are capable of outrunning humans, while the smaller Asian black bears are adept climbers and typically weigh up to 440 pounds. Thousands of bears are culled in Japan annually as part of wildlife management efforts.