Even as the Japanese society ages with a rapidly declining birth rate, wild bears are killing a record number of people according to Japanese environment ministry.
Two reasons are exacerbating this issue. Climate change has led to a shortage of acorns, which are a staple diet of the bears, hence they move out to the habituated areas in search of food. Secondly, the ageing population does not have very many who can hunt and keep the bear population in check.
Hungry bears are encroaching more into towns where the human population is ageing and dwindling. They attack on the aged and vulnerable section of the society. In addition, the warmer weather is also affecting the hibernation patterns of the animals. The case of brown bears can weigh half a tonne (1,100 pounds) and outrun a human.
The new total of seven deaths in the current fiscal year is described as the largest toll since 2006, when records began to be kept. The financial year 2023-24 had recoded five victims of bear attacks.
More than 100 others have been left with injuries including bites and deep gashes from the bears' sharp claws.
According to a news report Japan has two types of bear: Asian black bears -- also known as moon bears -- and the bigger brown bears that live on the main northern island of Hokkaido. Thousands of the animals are shot every year, although Japan's ageing human population means that the number of hunters is declining.