The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is considering lifting a ban on bear hunting for the first time in about 20 years [2].
This policy shift follows a surge in the Asian black bear population within the capital's borders, leading to more frequent and dangerous encounters between wildlife and residents in mountainous regions.
Official data indicates that the number of bears in Tokyo has reached a maximum of 378 [1]. This population growth has resulted in an increase in damage to human settlements. The urgency of the situation was highlighted by a recent incident on July 7, when a man encountered three bears [4, 5].
Local authorities are focusing on forest areas such as the Tomin no Mori in Hinohara Village to manage the population [1]. The government is expected to formally announce the consideration of the hunting ban lift on July 16 [3].
However, the effort to curb the bear population faces a significant logistical hurdle. There is a critical shortage of shooting ranges within the region, which has hampered the training and recruitment of new hunters [1]. Without adequate facilities to practice and certify, the city struggles to build a workforce capable of safely managing the wildlife increase.
Local business owners have also noted the impact of the changing environment. A staff member at the restaurant Tochi no Mi said, "I think it is less than half," when discussing the current state of local conditions [6].
“Tokyo is considering lifting a ban on bear hunting for the first time in about 20 years.”
The potential return of regulated hunting in Tokyo reflects a broader struggle in Japan to balance urban expansion with wildlife conservation. As natural habitats shrink and bear populations migrate closer to human settlements, the government must transition from passive observation to active population control. The lack of infrastructure for hunter training suggests that policy changes alone may be insufficient without corresponding investments in public safety and professional wildlife management tools.
