Berk Kutay Gokmen
04 November 2025•Update: 04 November 2025
ISTANBUL
Asian black bear sightings in Japan totaled 20,792 from April to September, the highest for the six-month period since data began in fiscal year 2009, the Environment Ministry said Tuesday.
The figure surpassed the previous record of 15,832 during the same months in fiscal 2024, according to the Jiji Press.
By region, Iwate Prefecture recorded the most sightings with 4,499. That was followed closely by Akita Prefecture at 4,005. Both are located in northeastern Japan.
"The bears are increasingly appearing in areas close to human settlements," said Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara during a news briefing.
Two men, one in his 60s and another in his 80s, were injured Monday in separate bear attacks in Akita Prefecture, according to NHK.
Separately, a 79-year-old woman was found dead Monday in a forested area of Akita Prefecture, possibly the victim of a bear attack, said police, according to Kyodo News.
Bear attacks in Akita have claimed at least three lives this year and left more than 50 injured. As a result, a bear warning has been issued across the entire prefecture.
In response to the mounting threat, Akita Gov. Kenta Suzuki has suggested the possible deployment of Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel.
While the SDF is prohibited from directly participating in bear culling, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced last week that the military will provide logistical support to local authorities.
The two bear species found in Japan are brown bears, which inhabit Hokkaido, and Asian black bears, which are native to Honshu and Shikoku, according to the Environment Ministry.
