Key Facts
• In 2025, bear attacks in Japan caused 11 deaths, the worst on record.
• Komoro City pioneered the ‘Government Hunter’ system in 2011 to manage wildlife.
• Government hunters possess hunting licenses and expertise in wildlife management.
• Bear sightings have increased in urban areas like Nagano City’s Zenkoji Temple.
• Wildlife damage is linked to food shortages and blurred boundaries between forests and farmland.
• Decline in private hunting associations has created a need for government-led solutions.
• Komoro City’s program increased deer captures from 44 in 2010 to 311 in 2016.
• The ‘Emergency Firearm Hunting System’ was introduced in September 2025.
• This system allows municipalities to use firearms for wildlife control in residential areas.
• Government hunters streamline processes, reducing response times for wildlife incidents.
• In 2024, a bear was captured within 13 hours due to quick adjustments by a government hunter.
• The program clarifies accountability by placing responsibility on public officials.
• Komoro City’s government hunters also manage traps in protected areas for population control.
Summary
Japan faces a surge in bear attacks, with 2025 marking a record 11 fatalities. Komoro City’s ‘Government Hunter’ initiative, launched in 2011, addresses this crisis by employing public officials with hunting licenses to manage wildlife. These hunters bring specialized knowledge and streamline processes, significantly increasing capture rates and reducing response times. The program’s success highlights the importance of government-led wildlife management, especially as private hunting associations decline. A new ‘Emergency Firearm Hunting System,’ effective September 2025, further empowers municipalities to address wildlife threats in urban areas. Komoro City’s approach serves as a model for balancing human safety and wildlife coexistence.
