Tokyo looking to lift ban on bear hunting for the first time in nearly 20 years

Tokyo looking to lift ban on bear hunting for the first time in nearly 20 years reports that Tokyo is considering ending its long-standing ban on hunting bears due to a growing black bear presence around the capital. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says estimates suggest as many as 378 Asian black bears inhabit the area, and it is weighing culling for the first time since April 2008. The proposal aims to reduce pressure on wild bears and prevent human-bear conflicts. Authorities cited an incident on Tuesday in Hinohara, western Tokyo, where a man in his 50s was injured after encountering a bear while hiking. A metropolitan study covering fiscal year 2025 (from April 2025) estimates the bear population density at 0.47 per square kilometer, based on hair samples collected in traps and DNA analysis to map movement ranges. Meanwhile, data from the Tohoku Regional Forest Office suggests abundant beechnuts in fall could limit bear entry into residential areas in four prefectures, though officials urge residents to remain alert.