The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will reopen hunting for the Asian black bear for the first time in about 20 years [1].
This policy shift marks a transition from a protection-only approach to active population management. Local officials said they aim to eliminate human injuries as bear sightings and conflicts increase in residential and rural fringes.
The hunting season is scheduled to run from November to February [1]. This initiative will begin in fiscal year 2027, with operations starting in November 2026 [1, 2]. The government has set an annual target capture of approximately 34 bears [1].
Efforts will focus on the Tama region, specifically the Hachioji area [1, 2]. Officials said riverbanks in these locations are critical bear corridors that facilitate movement into populated areas [1, 2].
The decision follows an assessment of the local wildlife population. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government estimates the current bear population in the region at 235 [1].
By targeting specific corridors and maintaining a consistent annual quota, the government intends to stabilize the population and reduce the frequency of bears entering human settlements. The shift is a direct response to the rising number of human-bear incidents reported across the Tama region [1, 3].
“Tokyo will reopen hunting for the Asian black bear for the first time in about 20 years.”
The reversal of a two-decade protection policy suggests that urban sprawl and changing forest ecosystems in the Tama region have pushed wildlife into closer proximity with humans. By establishing a regulated cull, Tokyo is prioritizing public safety over conservation, signaling that the current bear population has exceeded the region's ecological or social carrying capacity.
