Japan has taken the extraordinary step of deploying its military to the country&rsquo;s north as a surge in bear attacks grips communities already struggling with ageing populations and shrinking manpower. Since April, at least 12 people have been killed and more than 100 injured, making it one of the deadliest years on record for bear encounters.
The situation has become especially severe in Akita prefecture, where brown bears and Asiatic black bears have been spotted near schools, train stations, supermarkets, and even hot springs as they forage aggressively ahead of winter hibernation. &ldquo;Every day, bears intrude into residential areas in the region and their impact is expanding,&rdquo; Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Fumitoshi Sato warned. &ldquo;Responses to the bear problem are an urgent matter.&rdquo;
Under an agreement between the Ministry of Defense and Akita authorities, soldiers will not use firearms but will assist local teams by setting up baited box traps, transporting hunters, and helping dispose of carcasses. Troops in white helmets and bulletproof vests began operations in a forested area of Kazuno city, where several attacks have been reported. Armed with bear spray and net launchers, they installed traps near orchards that have suffered heavy losses.
One such orchard operator, Takahiro Ikeda, said he had lost over 200 ripe apples to bears. &ldquo;My heart is broken,&rdquo; he told NHK, echoing the frustration of residents who feel increasingly unsafe.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stressed that the mission is meant to safeguard civilian life but cautioned that the military&rsquo;s primary duty remains national defense, limiting how much support can be extended. In Akita alone, more than 50 people have been attacked since May, most of them while carrying out everyday tasks like farming or mushroom foraging. Among the victims were two elderly women killed in separate incidents and a newspaper deliveryman mauled earlier this week.
Experts say the crisis is being driven by Japan&rsquo;s demographic shift: fewer young people in rural areas mean fewer trained hunters and more abandoned farmland, providing food and cover for bears. With the bear population estimated at over 54,000, wildlife specialists argue that controlled culling may now be necessary to restore balance and protect communities.

Japan Deploys Troops as Bear Attacks Surge

Military steps in as deadly bear encounters rise sharply across northern Japan

Japan Deploys Troops as Bear Attacks Surge

Military steps in as deadly bear encounters rise sharply across northern Japan

November 6, 2025 | 19:07 IST