A recent incident in Hokkaido has raised concerns about the increasing frequency of bear attacks in Japan, particularly after a video surfaced showing a brown bear charging at a moving vehicle. The event took place in Urakawa Village, located roughly 172 km from Sapporo City. A rancher shared the footage on X (formerly Twitter) on the 7th, describing how an employee encountered a bear on a bridge around 7:30 p.m. the previous day.
The video, which lasts approximately seven seconds, captures a brown bear running at high speed toward the vehicle on a rainy night road. The driver managed to reverse and avoid a direct collision, but the bear continued to chase the car even after hitting the vehicle’s hood. The footage was recorded using a mobile phone inside the vehicle, providing a firsthand account of the tense moment.
The rancher mentioned that no further incidents occurred after the encounter, and the situation ended safely. However, they urged caution for those living or traveling in the area. Photos accompanying the post showed visible damage to the vehicle’s hood, with clear scratches and dents caused by the bear.
Netizens who viewed the video expressed a range of reactions. Some commented, “It’s about five times bigger than I usually imagined,” while others admitted, “I thought recent reports of bear attacks were exaggerated, but after seeing the video, my thoughts have changed. It’s too dangerous.” Fortunately, the employee involved in the incident remained unharmed.
Bear attacks have become a growing concern across Japan, not only in Hokkaido but also in the Tohoku region of northeastern Honshu. According to Japan’s Environment Ministry, 13 people have died from bear attacks since April this year, marking a record high. From April to September, there were preliminary reports of 20,792 bear sightings—already surpassing the total number of sightings recorded between April last year and March this year.
In response to the rising incidents, local governments in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region held a meeting on the 6th to request financial support and other measures from the central government to address the issue of bear damage. The Self-Defense Forces deployed personnel to the region following a request from Akita Prefecture. Additionally, the Korean National Police Agency revised regulations to allow the eradication of bears near villages using rifles. Extra police officers were also sent to Akita and Iwate Prefectures, where many bear attack incidents have been reported.
However, the Self-Defense Forces will not use rifles to shoot bears. Instead, their role will focus on support tasks such as installing large traps and transporting captured bears. Personnel will be equipped with bulletproof vests, shields, bear repellent spray, and 165 cm-long poles to ensure their safety during operations.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed the issue of bear eradication in the House of Representatives, stating, “As this is a matter related to residents’ lives, we will implement necessary measures one after another with a sense of urgency.” This reflects the growing concern among officials and the public regarding the need for effective strategies to manage bear populations and prevent future incidents.