On Thursday, Japan announced a revision to its strict gun laws, allowing riot police to shoot bears with rifles as authorities battle a record number of fatal attacks.
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| Source: Pixabay |
Since April 1, bears have killed 13 people, which is more than twice the previous annual record. The animals are venturing further out of their habitats, and the rise in attacks is indirectly blamed on climate change, a falling human population, and other factors.
The revision came after media reports said that the handguns issued to regular Japanese police officers are ineffective against bears because the weapons are not powerful enough to kill them.
The National Police Agency (NPA) announced that riot police armed with rifles will be deployed to the northern regions of Iwate and Akita, where most of the attacks have occurred.
Before beginning operations on November 13, they will receive guidance on bear habits from local hunters’ associations, the NPA said in a statement.
The changes come a day after Japan began deploying soldiers to the area, although the troops will not carry firearms or hunt the bears.
Equipped with anti-bear spray, protective gear, and net launchers, the soldiers' main tasks will include transporting traps used to capture the animals.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s new government is also drafting a special policy package to address the crisis.
According to scientists, bear numbers have grown in Japan in recent years due to an abundance of food, such as acorns, deer, and boars, caused by a warming climate.
Rural depopulation has also blurred the traditional boundaries between towns and bear habitats, encouraging the animals to expand into residential areas, according to researchers.
По материалам: http://www.planet-today.com/2025/11/japan-to-arm-riot-police-with-rifles-in.html