Authorities in Japan have released new survival advice after a marked increase in encounters and attacks by wild bears. Since April 2025, nine fatalities have been recorded — the highest toll ever for a comparable period — and sightings are spreading beyond remote forests into semi-urban and rural residential zones.
Why encounters are increasing
The surge in incidents has several linked causes:
- Bears are venturing closer to human habitations due to food shortages — especially poor acorn and beechnut harvests — and delayed hibernation triggered by warmer winters.
- Rural depopulation has led to overgrown farmland and diminished human activity, reducing natural buffers between wildlife and communities.
- Two species are principally involved: the Asiatic black bear (on Honshu and other islands) and the much larger Ussuri brown bear (primarily in Hokkaido).
Key survival tips for bear encounters
Officials emphasise that although the risk of encountering a bear remains low, understanding what to do can make a critical difference. The core advice:
- Do not run or turn your back. Bears are faster and more agile; running may trigger a chase instinct.
- Back away slowly while keeping the bear in sight and avoiding direct eye contact. Sudden movements may provoke.
- If an attack is imminent, victims should lie face down with their hands covering the head and neck — a survival method found to correlate with fewer serious injuries in a recent study of 70 cases in Akita Prefecture.
- For prevention: travel in groups, make regular noise (bells, whistles, conversation) to alert bears to human presence, avoid hiking at dawn or dusk, and never leave food or rubbish unattended.
Preparedness and deterrence measures
Local governments are stepping up preventive measures as part of a broader response. Some of the actions being taken:
- Deployment of sound-emitting devices and motion sensors around high-risk zones to deter bears.
- Relaxation of hunting regulations in some prefectures, amid a decline in licensed hunters and concerns about rising bear populations.
- Public information campaigns and warnings issued to residents and hikers in known bear areas.
For travellers and outdoor enthusiasts
If you’re planning trips in Japan’s forested or mountainous zones, especially in the north (Tohoku, Chūbu, Hokkaido), keep the following in mind:
- Check local bear-sighting reports or alerts before going off-trail.
- Carry a whistle or bear-alarm device and avoid headphones so you’re aware of your surroundings.
- Dress brightly and stay on marked trails. Avoid dawn or dusk when bear activity tends to spike.
- Ensure food waste is properly stored or disposed of. Explore with companions rather than alone.
The takeaway
What might once have seemed a remote risk has become a real concern across Japan. With environmental changes, shifting human-wildlife interfaces and resource-driven bear behaviour, knowledge and vigilance are now key. These survival tips aren’t meant to scare off nature — but to help people safely enjoy it.
