Over 40% of Japanese municipalities report abusive bear-related complaints
A survey shows more than four-tenths of local governments dealing with a rise in bear sightings in Japan have been flooded with hostile calls and messages.
In response to a surge that pushed bear sightings past 50,000 through March - double the previous year’s total - the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications surveyed 40 local governments across Japan. Seventeen of those reported that bear-related complaints were interfering with routine operations. Ten municipalities cited extremely long phone calls, often exceeding an hour, while five said they were overwhelmed by emails and website submissions.
Aggressive messages ranged from pleas to kill the animals to repeated demands to speak with the governor. In one incident, a staff member tasked with bear issues was photographed without permission and the image shared online. The ministry highlighted the need for clear response protocols to reduce the burden on frontline workers.
Why it matters
Growing human-bear conflicts are straining local authorities and highlight a need for clearer government response policies.
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