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In Japan, particularly in the Tohoku region (the Northeast), bear attacks on people have reached a record high in the past 15 years. Since April 2025, a total of 13 people have died nationwide, with 5 cases occurring in Iwate Prefecture and 4 in Akita Prefecture. This situation has not only caused extreme fear in the community but has also dealt a heavy, direct blow to the tourism industry and local economy right in the middle of the peak autumn foliage viewing season.
The Tohoku region, famous for its hot spring resorts (onsen) and romantic autumn scenery, is suffering severe economic losses. Hotel and ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) bookings have plummeted, particularly in the hardest-hit prefectures.
Deadly bear attacks in Japan reach record high.
In Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, following a fatal bear attack on a man in mid-October, nearby inns have seen a surge in room cancellations. On some days, the number of guests using public hot tubs has dropped by as much as 70%. "The incident happened right during the peak autumn foliage viewing season, which has significantly impacted us," shared a representative from an inn in Kitakami. To mitigate risks, many businesses have been forced to close their outdoor bathing areas. Similarly, at Gembikei Gorge (Ichinoseki, Iwate), a popular autumn foliage viewing spot, visitor numbers have also plummeted following a nearby fatal bear attack.
Local authorities are warning tourists to be vigilant about potential dangers from bears, and access to some areas may be restricted if bears are spotted.
The fear has spread all the way to Tokyo. Eri Aoki, an office worker, said she canceled plans to visit a hot spring resort in Iwate in November: "It's terrifying to see bears in residential areas. I'll reconsider those plans after the bears hibernate in the winter."
The situation in Akita Prefecture is even more tense as bears are continuously being spotted in central areas. Senshu Park, a popular autumn foliage viewing spot in Akita, has been repeatedly closed. After two bears were captured, the park reopened but was closed again a few hours later due to the discovery of more bears.
Because local authorities were unable to respond effectively, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) officially intervened.
In response to a record number of attacks on civilians, Akita Prefecture Governor Kenta Suzuki described these attacks as "truly horrific" on October 28 and officially called for assistance from the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF).
The official intervention of the Japanese military is seen as a warning sign of the national severity of the problem. Yasunori Matsunaga, a representative of the military forces deployed to Akita, stated: "The problems caused by bears in Akita are serious. We will carry out our assigned duties while also taking into account other local requirements."
Soldiers are currently setting iron traps, carrying pepper spray to repel bears, and protective shields. They are also actively coordinating with experienced hunters to control the situation. The operation, initially deployed in Kazuno City, will expand to other prefectures in Akita Prefecture by the end of this month. Kazuno Mayor Shinji Sasamoto said, “People feel the danger every day; they are afraid to go out, and many events have been canceled.”
Alarmingly, the attacks are not limited to forests but are spreading to densely populated areas. Locations where bears have been sighted include residential areas, areas around supermarkets, bus stations, schools, and even hot spring resorts.
Faced with this widespread infestation, Japan's Ministry of Education and Ministry of the Environment issued an urgent directive encouraging students to bring empty plastic bottles to school to deter bears with noise. This directive came after a series of bear intrusions into schools, such as an elementary school in Nanyo (Yamagata Prefecture) and a baseball practice facility at a private high school. At Iwate University in Morioka, bears appeared for two consecutive days, forcing the school to suspend classes.
Experts believe this situation stems from a complex combination of factors: an increasing bear population, an aging population reducing the number of hunters controlling the population, and especially climate change causing a shortage of natural food sources (such as acorns), forcing bears to search deeper into populated areas and become more active during the winter.
Amidst heightened tensions, the Japanese government, through Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara, has pledged to "maximize its capabilities" to restore safety. However, currently, measures such as carrying plastic bottles, alarm bells, and temporarily closing schools remain stopgap solutions while the nation seeks a more comprehensive, long-term strategy to prevent the spread of bear attacks.
