Sept. 12, 2025 Why bear attacks are surging in Japan

Bears are showing up in Japanese towns, supermarkets, even airport runways — and the number of bear attacks is now higher than anywhere else in the world. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we explore the reasons behind the dramatic surge: climate change, depopulated rural areas, rewilded landscapes and a younger generation of fearless bears. We also look at how Japan is responding — from hunting rules and AI patrols to safety advice for hikers — and why conservationists are urging a rethink. 🎥 Watch the full video episode on YouTube:

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Sept. 12, 2025 Why bear attacks are surging in Japan is an episode from Japan Today by Japan This Week.

This episode is 00:10:57 long.

This episode was published on Sep 12, 2025.

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