HOKKAIDO, Mar 18, 2026 (News On Japan) - Authorities in Matsumae Town in southern Hokkaido conducted a brown bear response drill on March 18th, simulating a scenario in which a bear wanders into a residential area, as police, firefighters and local hunters worked together to confirm coordination procedures and response steps.
"Visual confirmation of what appears to be a bear," a police officer announced during the exercise, as firefighters deployed a drone to track the simulated animal moving through the town, sharing real-time information with police and hunting teams.
In the drill, a police officer acted as the bear, allowing participants to rehearse realistic movements and verify the sequence of actions leading up to a potential culling, with officers instructing hunters to prepare for firing and confirming communication protocols on the ground.
"Please proceed with firing," an officer said, to which a hunter responded, "Understood," demonstrating the final stage of the response plan.
The exercise comes amid heightened concern in the region, where a newspaper delivery worker was fatally attacked by a bear in the nearby town of Fukushima in 2025, underscoring the risks posed by increasing encounters.
"We must approach this with a strong determination to never allow bears into urban areas," said Shiro Michishita, head of the Matsumae branch of the Hokkaido Hunters Association, emphasizing the need for close coordination between authorities and local groups.
Reports related to bear sightings reached a record 5,260 cases in 2025, highlighting a growing sense of urgency among participants, who carried out the drill with the awareness that a real incident could occur at any time.
Source: 北海道ニュースUHB
