Japan has deployed the army against bears: what has caused record attacks

Japan has deployed troops in the north of the country to assist local communities in catching bears, which have become a major problem due to an unprecedented wave of attacks. The operation to find bears began in the town of Kazuno, amid forested mountains, where encounters with these animals have increased. Since the beginning of the year, there have been over 100 bear attacks in Japan, resulting in 12 fatalities. The majority of attacks occurred in Akita Prefecture, particularly in the cities of Kazuno and Iwate. The number of interactions with bears has risen sixfold in Akita, exceeding 8,000 this year.

According to Yasuhiro Kitakata, the head of the city's bear control department, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) have greatly alleviated the situation. 'Even if this is only temporary assistance, the SDF is a significant relief,' he emphasized. Soldiers help set up steel traps for the bears, which are then shot by specially hired hunters.

Military personnel also use mountain roads near the city, where local loggers are training them to set and transport traps. In Kazuno, home to about 30,000 people, local residents have had to limit their trips and stay indoors to avoid conflicts with bears.

Summary

There has been an increase in bear attacks in Japan, prompting authorities to deploy troops to assist local communities in capturing these animals. The military is actively involved in this operation to reduce the number of conflicts and enhance the safety of residents.