Rifles Approved for Bear Culling

Nov 07, 2025 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The National Police Agency announced on November 6th that it has revised the National Public Safety Commission regulations to allow police officers to use rifles for bear control. The amendment will take effect on November 13th.

By the end of November 5th, a total of 13 people had been killed in bear attacks this fiscal year—more than double the record-high toll in fiscal 2023—prompting authorities to take urgent measures.

Earlier this week, the agency dispatched officials to Iwate and Akita prefectures, where bear-related damage has been severe, to assess local needs and current conditions. Based on their findings, the agency decided to expand the permissible use of rifles, which had previously been limited to cases such as hijacking incidents, to include bear culling.

National Police Agency Commissioner Yoshinobu Kusunoki said, "Starting today, November 6th, we have begun dispatching rotating support units from other prefectural police forces to Iwate and Akita, where the damage has been particularly serious. We aim to establish a system that allows for bear culling operations by November 13th."

According to the agency, firearm response units from other prefectures have already been deployed to Iwate and Akita. Before operations begin on November 13th, officers will receive training on bear behavior and vital points, as well as rifle shooting practice with bear culling in mind.

After the amendment takes effect, each of the two prefectures will have two four-person teams—comprising two snipers, one field commander, and one liaison officer responsible for coordination with local governments. In situations where local emergency hunting teams cannot respond in time, police officers will carry out bear culling operations under the Police Duties Execution Act.

Source: TBS

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