Japan considers tax relief for hunters to combat bear attacks

Japan’s Environment Ministry is discussing tax exemptions for hunters to combat a rise in bear attacks and manage wildlife populations. The proposed measure aims to ease the financial burden on hunters, particularly those operating across multiple prefectures who must currently pay hunting taxes ranging from 5,500 to 16,500 yen per season to each local government.

The relief is expected to apply to emergency culling in residential or inhabited areas and efforts to control animal populations. The ministry intends to request funding for this initiative under the fiscal 2027 budget. This move comes as Japan faces a record high of over 50,000 bear sightings in fiscal 2025, which resulted in 13 deaths.

By providing tax relief, officials hope to support a shrinking pool of hunters facing rapid aging and a shortage of successors, thereby reducing bear-related damage and casualties.