The governor of a prefecture in northern Japan called on the army to intervene to confront a “very horrific” wave of bear attacks that claimed the lives of a number of people across the country.
According to the Japanese government, 10 people were killed in bear attacks this year, exceeding the previous record of 6 people set between April 2023 and March 2024.
“We are currently in a situation where the lives of our citizens cannot be protected without the assistance of the Self-Defense Forces,” Akita Prefectural Governor Kenta Suzuki said during a meeting with the Defense Minister in Tokyo.
He added: “Attacks targeting the neck and face are very common, and lead to very serious injuries,” noting that the appearance of bears is no longer limited to the mountains only, but is now in civilian areas as well.
He pointed out that it is “unnatural” for residents’ daily lives to be disrupted.
The new Minister of Defense, Shinjiro Koizumi, confirmed that his ministry “will utilize its full capabilities and powers” to restore security and tranquility, while Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara described the situation as a “serious problem.”
This death toll does not include people killed in recent bear attacks.
Yesterday, Monday, the body of a woman was found near rice fields in Akita, while the body of a man and the corpse of his dog were found in neighboring Iwate Prefecture, according to local media.
Both people showed signs that they had been attacked by bears. Recently, bears have attacked tourists, entered stores, and appeared near schools and parks, especially in the north of the country.
