Japan records historic surge in bear killings and human deaths amid overpopulation

Japan announced a record number of bear deaths in the fiscal year that ended in March, with 14,601 bears killed — an average of about 40 per day. The sharp rise in the bear population, now estimated at 42,000 black bears on Honshu and around 12,000 brown bears nationwide, has pushed the animals into inhabited areas. Over 50,000 bear sightings were reported across the country, many involving homes, schools, supermarkets and hot‑spring resorts.

Human casualties also increased, with 13 people killed in bear attacks last year, more than double the previous record. A fatal attack in early 2026 has been confirmed, and two additional deaths are suspected to be bear‑related. Scientists attribute the surge to climate‑induced food abundance and the depopulation of rural communities, which has forced bears to leave the mountains that cover about 80 % of Japan and venture into populated zones.

The government’s preliminary figures highlight the scale of the wildlife‑human conflict and underscore the challenges posed by the growing bear population, which is driven by warming temperatures and changes in land use.