An analysis of smartphone location data at major mountains in Japan, released Monday, shows hiking numbers in the northern regions of Hokkaido and Tohoku fell more than 30% from April to June compared with the same period two years earlier. The steepest declines were recorded in areas hit hard by bear attacks.
The data, collected from mobile devices of users at popular hiking spots, reflects a trend of people becoming more cautious about outdoor activities in areas that have experienced bear-related incidents. Analysts say the drop is not only due to safety concerns but also reflects the impact of warnings issued by local authorities.
As bear sightings and attacks on people have increased across many prefectures in the two regions, authorities have stepped up advisories urging residents and visitors to avoid dangerous areas. The most notable declines were on trails near deep forest areas, where recent human-bear encounters have been frequent.
Observers note that the decrease in hikers could affect local economies, which partly depend on ecotourism and outdoor sports. Experts are calling on local governments to strike a balance between protecting public safety and maintaining tourism, while also strengthening measures to manage bears and keep them away from inhabited areas.
The survey was based on anonymized data from mobile apps, without identifying specific individuals, aiming to provide an overview of movement trends amid growing attention to threats from wildlife.
