Japan has announced a change to its gun laws, permitting riot police to use rifles to address the increasing threat of bear attacks. This decision, revealed on Thursday, comes in response to a record number of deadly incidents.
Since April 1, bears have been responsible for 13 fatalities, more than doubling the previous annual record. Experts attribute this rise to factors like climate change, a declining human population, and other influences, which have driven bears to roam beyond their usual habitats.
The amendment follows reports that the handguns typically issued to Japanese police are ineffective against bears due to their insufficient power.
The National Police Agency (NPA) announced that riot police equipped with rifles will be dispatched to the northern areas of Iwate and Akita, where most incidents have occurred.
A member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) is seen practicing bear trap setup in Kazuno, Akita Prefecture, Japan.
These officers will receive training on bear behavior from local hunters before starting their operations on November 13, according to an NPA statement.
This action follows Japan’s recent decision to deploy soldiers to the region. However, these troops will not carry firearms or engage in bear hunting.
Equipped with anti-bear sprays, protective clothing, and net launchers, their primary responsibilities will include transporting traps for capturing bears.
The administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is urgently working on a special policy package to address this crisis.
Scientists have noted a rise in Japan’s bear population, fueled by a plentiful supply of food like acorns, deer, and boars, which has been facilitated by a warming climate.
Additionally, rural depopulation has blurred the traditional boundaries between towns and bear territories, leading bears to move closer to residential areas, researchers explain.
