Acorn Shortage Raises Fear of Bear Attacks
Bears are becoming increasingly active across Japan ahead of winter, with poor acorn harvests in parts of the country raising concerns that hungry animals may venture closer to homes and tourist areas in search of food. (News On Japan)
Bears in Japan are growing more active as winter approaches, with poor acorn harvests in several regions fueling fears of encounters between hungry bears and people. Footage from Okoppe, Hokkaido, captured a large brown bear with glowing eyes approaching a camera after finding trout in a nearby river. Another bear was seen lowering its body into a deep puddle.
In Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, a bear entered a residence, and in Nagano, a road to Jizukiyama Park was temporarily closed after a bear sighting to keep people away. The city reopened the park afterward.
Autumn is a crucial time for bears as they build energy reserves for hibernation, and acorn availability significantly influences their movement. In 2026, acorn crops were extremely poor in Kyoto, Hyogo, and Aichi prefectures, and Gunma Prefecture also experienced a poor harvest. Shimonita, Gunma Prefecture, a World Heritage site, had a bear sighting, and the area's Arafune Cold Storage closed weekdays following the incident.
Safety measures have been introduced, including bear deterrent alarms, bear bells on walking sticks, and special sound devices to repel bears. However, experts warn that even regions with abundant acorn and nut crops should remain vigilant. Prolonged availability of food in the mountains can delay hibernation, and an abundant nut harvest in the Tohoku region may lead to higher reproduction rates, potentially increasing bear-human interactions next year.
Written by urgent.news from News On Japan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
