TOKYO, May 19 (News On Japan) –
The Japanese authorities has launched a set of pointers titled “Six Rules to Avoid Encountering Bears” as bear sightings throughout the nation proceed to rise sharply in comparison with the identical interval in earlier years.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi mentioned on May nineteenth that the federal government plans to start distributing the rules from subsequent week and urged the general public to evaluation them fastidiously.
In response to the current surge in bear appearances, the federal government has begun a nationwide consciousness marketing campaign outlining security precautions and acceptable responses to bear encounters.
The marketing campaign consists of recommendation geared toward folks gathering wild mountain greens, similar to avoiding outings throughout early morning and night hours when bears are extra energetic. The “Six Rules to Avoid Encountering Bears” will likely be revealed in newspapers and on-line to encourage larger warning among the many public.
The authorities additionally plans to launch warning movies focused at kids and fogeys to lift consciousness about bear-related risks.
During a authorities assembly held on the morning of May nineteenth, Hayashi burdened the necessity to “step up efforts by another gear” and instructed related ministers to strengthen preventive measures geared toward decreasing bear appearances.
The transfer comes amid a pointy enhance in bear-related incidents nationwide. According to Environment Ministry information, Japan recorded greater than 50,000 bear sightings throughout fiscal 2025, greater than double the earlier file. Preliminary figures additionally confirmed 238 casualties and 13 deaths linked to bear assaults throughout the identical interval, marking the very best degree recorded previously decade.
Recent assaults have heightened public concern, significantly in northern Japan. Earlier this month, two units of human stays believed to be linked to bear assaults had been found in Iwate and Yamagata prefectures, whereas a police officer trying to find a lacking individual was additionally attacked by a bear in Iwate.
Experts say poor acorn and nut harvests, climate-related environmental modifications, and rural depopulation have pushed extra bears nearer to residential areas looking for meals. Authorities have reported bears showing close to houses, colleges, prepare stations, and vacationer websites with rising frequency.
Source: FNN