Sweden to kill 20% of its brown bears in annual hunt
GuardianAug 09, 2024
Japan to Ease Bear-Hunting Laws Amid Rising Attacks
story
Above: A brown bear on the loose in Sapporo, Hokkaido prefecture. Image copyright: STR/Contributor/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
According to the Kyodo news agency, Japan plans to revise its wildlife protection and management laws, making it easier for hunters to shoot down wild animals entering populated areas.
The revised laws, to take effect in 2025, will allow licensed hunters to respond to bear sightings instead of waiting for police approval, usually given when the animals threaten human life.
The change comes after Japan recorded 219 bear attacks in the 12 months through March — including six deaths. This is the highest number of bear sightings and serious incidents since records began in 2006.
The Spin
Narrative A
It's good that Japan is taking steps to protect people by allowing them to swiftly act in emergencies amid a surge in bear attacks fuelled by climate change, rural depopulation, and food shortages. However, there's an urgent need for long-term strategies, including habitat conservation and improved wildlife management, to balance safety with ecological responsibility.
Narrative B
Japan's escalating bear encounters highlight the importance of non-lethal solutions to human-wildlife conflict. While hunting addresses immediate threats, excessive culling endangers ecosystems and biodiversity. Habitat restoration, community education, and preventive measures like bear-proofing settlements and enhancing food availability in forests can foster coexistence and reduce the reliance on lethal methods.
