Authorities in Tochigi prefecture, central Japan, conducted a safety drill featuring a man in a bear costume to simulate a wild animal intrusion.

The exercise comes amid an uptick in bear sightings in the region. By simulating a realistic encounter, officials aimed to demonstrate the most effective ways to scare off bears and protect the public.

The drill took place on June 17, 2024 [1]. During the simulation, a man wearing a bear costume was pursued by a response team to show how to manage a sighting in a high-risk environment. The exercise specifically simulated an emergency task-force response to a bear intrusion at a school [2].

Reports on the participants of the chase vary between sources. Some accounts state that police pursued the costumed man [1], while other reports indicate that hunters as part of an emergency task-force led the effort [2]. The primary goal remained the same: demonstrating deterrent techniques to ensure the safety of the community.

Local residents observed the demonstrations to learn how to react if a bear enters a residential or educational area. The use of a human volunteer in a costume allowed responders to practice their coordination without risking actual wildlife encounters, a necessary precaution given the rising frequency of bear activity in central Japan.

Tochigi officials designed the drill to provide a practical example of how to secure a perimeter and drive a bear away from populated areas. The simulation emphasized the importance of rapid response and the use of specific tools to discourage animals from approaching human settlements [1], [2].

“A man wearing a bear costume was chased by police/hunters during the drill”

This exercise reflects a growing public safety concern in Japan as wildlife habitats shift, leading to more frequent human-bear conflicts. By utilizing simulated intrusions at schools, the Tochigi government is prioritizing the protection of vulnerable populations and refining the coordination between police and professional hunters to prevent casualties.