Japan's declining and thinning rural population is creating unexpected consequences, as regenerated forests on abandoned farmland become ideal bear habitat, bringing them closer to human communities.
Official data shows that in fiscal year 2025, there were 238 bear attacks on people, the highest ever recorded, including 13 fatalities. The main cause is the expansion of bear territory into areas that were once cultivated land but are now abandoned as residents move to major cities.
In response, Japanese policymakers are shifting their stance on wildlife management. The new policy goes beyond conservation, emphasizing controlled culling to manage bear numbers and reduce human-bear conflicts.
Experts say this adjustment is necessary to ensure the safety of remaining rural residents, while also posing a difficult challenge in balancing the ecosystem as wildlife habitats continue to change.
