Hachioji conducts first emergency bear cull in Tokyo

Authorities in Hachioji, Tokyo, conducted the first emergency gunshot cull of an Asiatic black bear in the prefecture on September 28, 2026. The adult bear was caught in a trap in an agricultural area in Ozu-machi, a zone classified as a human living area. Following the report of the trapped bear, Hachioji Mayor Kazuo Hatsushuku authorized the emergency cull to prevent potential human injury.

In a separate incident in Fukushima City, experts discussed the complexities of managing bears that enter residential and industrial buildings. Associate Professor Shota Mochizuki of Fukushima University noted that bears possess high intelligence and long-term memory, allowing them to learn how to access buildings. While food abundance in mountains may reduce sightings, experts warn that bears may still frequent human settlements to access fruit trees like persimmon and chestnut.