In response to a surge in bear attacks, Japanese authorities have authorized culling campaigns aimed at reducing the bear population. Over 14,600 bears, primarily Asian black bears (Ursus thibetanus) and brown bears, have been eliminated through these efforts. The bear attack crisis in Japan began in 2023, with a temporary lull before a sharp increase in 2025. Between April 2025 and March 2026, Japan recorded 50,000 sightings of bears in or near human-populated areas, resulting in 238 attacks, including 13 fatalities. In response, the government approved culling operations to manage the growing threat to public safety. The Japanese government has released a white paper outlining a plan to reduce the bear population to 67% of its current level in several regions by 2030. However, scientists and environmental organizations, such as the Japan Bear and Forest Society, have raised concerns about the ecological impact of these culling campaigns. They warn that the current rate of culling could lead to the local extinction of the Asian black bear, a species classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These groups argue that the culling may cause irreversible damage to local ecosystems. The Japanese government has initiated a three-year national study to accurately count the bear population, regardless of species. However, critics point out that the state does not have a clear understanding of how many bears are actually present in the wild. The culling campaigns are carried out by local recreational hunters, a group that is shrinking in number, making this approach less sustainable over time. Alternative strategies, such as the Picchio method used in Nagano Prefecture, involve capturing bears near villages, fitting them with GPS collars, and using Karelian bear dogs to guide them back into the forest. In Hokkaido, some companies use solar-powered robots that mimic the howls of wolves to scare bears away from populated areas. In some cities, fireworks are used to deter bears, and if these fail, the police or military may be deployed. While Japan's culture historically favored coexistence with wildlife, the current priority is to ensure public safety and respond swiftly to threats. Scientists note that the bears are not inherently aggressive but are driven to human areas due to ecological changes, such as food shortages caused by heatwaves and climate disruptions. These changes have reduced the availability of acorns and beech mast, key food sources for bears before hibernation. As rural areas depopulate, abandoned orchards and farmland create "fuzzy buffer zones" where bears find easy access to food, leading to a loss of their natural fear of humans. This gradual adaptation increases the risk of human-bear conflicts.