Japan Deploys Troops After Record Bear Attacks

Japan has begun deploying troops to northern regions after a surge in deadly bear attacks left twelve people dead and more than a hundred injured since April.

The unprecedented decision follows weeks of rising panic in rural communities across Akita and Iwate, where bears have increasingly wandered into towns in search of food.

Experts say a poor acorn harvest and rural depopulation have driven the animals closer to human settlements, breaking long-established boundaries between wilderness and villages.

The Self-Defense Forces, restricted by Japan’s strict gun laws, are not authorized to kill the bears; instead, they’re equipped with bear spray, net launchers, and shields to assist in transporting traps and ensuring residents’ safety.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government is preparing a comprehensive policy package to address the crisis, which may include expanding hunting licenses and improving local response teams.