Akita Prefecture Governor Kenta Suzuki announced in a Sunday social media post his intent to request Self-Defense Forces assistance to address a surge in bear attacks. This follows a Friday incident where one person was killed and three injured. Bear attacks have reached record levels nationwide this year.
In the mountainous northern region of Akita Prefecture, an unprecedented wave of bear attacks has prompted calls for military intervention to protect residents. Governor Kenta Suzuki stated in a Sunday Instagram post, 'Exhaustion on the ground is reaching its limit,' and plans to visit the Defense Ministry as soon as Tuesday to request help with a bear cull. A ministry spokesperson said she was unaware of any such visit.
The plea follows a Friday attack in Higashinaruse village, where four people were assaulted by a bear, resulting in one death and three injuries. Local authorities report 54 people killed or injured in Akita this year, up from 11 last year, with sightings surging six-fold to over 8,000 incidents. Nationally, bear-related deaths in fiscal 2025, which began in April, have reached 10—the highest since records started in 2006—with more than 100 victims overall.
Rising bear populations and rural depopulation are driving increased human-bear encounters, often in towns, villages, homes, and even supermarkets on at least two occasions. A poor beech nut harvest and pre-hibernation activity may worsen the situation. Bears are frequently spotted in the Tohoku region and beyond; in Iwate Prefecture, over 30 people have been affected since April, including a body found Monday with apparent bear wounds under police investigation.
Japan's aging population has led to a shortage of qualified hunters, and bears appear less fearful of humans. Japanese black bears can weigh up to 140 kg, while Hokkaido's brown bears reach 400 kg. Akita has begun distributing bear-repellent spray along school routes for children's safety. Authorities urge high caution as the autumn foliage season approaches. The SDF has previously supported wildlife control with logistics and search tasks but not direct shooting, which is handled by local agencies.