Wakayama Prepares for Bear Emergency

Aug 29, 2026 | News On Japan

Wakayama - Wakayama Prefecture has conducted its first field exercise for emergency bear shooting, bringing together local government officials, police and hunters to practice responding to an Asiatic black bear remaining near a riverbank as sightings continue across Japan.

The drill was held in Hidakagawa, Wakayama Prefecture, based on a scenario in which an Asiatic black bear had settled on a riverbank and was refusing to leave.

Officials from the prefectural and municipal governments participated alongside police officers and members of a local hunting association.

Participants first conducted a tabletop exercise to review procedures for emergency gun hunting, under which municipalities can authorize the killing of a bear when certain conditions are met.

The exercise then moved outdoors, where participants practiced shooting at a stuffed bear and using drones to assess the situation from the air.

Wakayama Prefecture recorded 61 sightings of Asiatic black bears during the current fiscal year through the end of July.

A prefectural official said authorities intend to continue holding drills to strengthen coordination among relevant agencies and ensure they can respond quickly and smoothly when bears appear.

Source: ABCTVnews

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