Bear pulls hiker into woods in Japan, individual remains untraced - Wild Japanese hiker forcibly pulled into forest by brown bear encounter
In the wilderness and populated regions of Hokkaido, Japan, a concerning trend has emerged. Recent years have seen an increase in the number of brown bear attacks, with several fatal incidents reported in 2025, following a high trend observed since 2023.
This upward trend is evident in the statistics released by the Japanese Environment Ministry. From April to July 2025, there were 55 bear attacks nationwide, a figure consistent with the record-high number in 2023. In Hokkaido, notable attacks include a fatal incident on July 12 in Fukushima Town, where a newspaper delivery worker was killed by a brown bear. Another case involved a young man attacked and killed on a trail at Mount Rausu in northern Hokkaido in August 2025.
The brown bear population in Hokkaido has seen a rollercoaster ride in numbers over the years. A decline was observed during the 1960s due to a spring bear culling program aimed at protecting people and livestock. However, in recent decades, bear numbers and their presence in human-populated areas have increased again, contributing to more encounters and attacks.
Authorities have responded to this escalating situation by authorizing hunters to shoot bears in populated areas and have taken steps to restrict access to affected areas like Mount Rausudake following attacks. DNA tests often link culled bears to previous attacks, indicating recurring problem animals.
The hunting season and measures have evolved over time. The spring culling in the 1960s specifically targeted bears during late snow season for easier tracking. Current management involves reactive culling near attack sites and approved measures to shoot bears posing threats in populated zones, guided by safety protocols and environmental monitoring.
Despite these efforts, the number of brown bears on Hokkaido has been on a steady decline since 2023, with an estimated 11,600 bears by the end of that year. This marks the first decrease since 1991, which the Hokkaido government attributes to the bear hunting season.
However, the ongoing challenges in balancing bear conservation with public safety persist. The exact location of a recent attack near a site in Japan has not been specified, nor has the identity of the man who was attacked by the brown bear been released. Blood traces, a shirt, wallet, watch, hat, and pepper spray were discovered near the attack site on Friday, but the man is still missing.
As the authorities continue to grapple with this issue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of the public while preserving the natural habitat and population of these majestic creatures.
[1] Environment Ministry of Japan, Bear Attack Statistics, 2023-2025. [2] Hokkaido Government, Bear Management and Safety Measures, 2025. [3] Kyodo News, Brown Bear Attack in Hokkaido: Details and Response, August 2025. [4] Asahi Shimbun, Record Number of Brown Bear Attacks in Hokkaido, July 2025. [5] Mainichi Shimbun, Fatal Brown Bear Attack in Fukushima Town, Hokkaido, July 2025.
- In the midst of the increasing number of brown bear attacks and fatal incidents in Hokkaido, Japan, sports enthusiasts are urged to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines when venturing into bear-populated areas.
- Ironically, while the number of brown bears in Hokkaido has been on a steady decline since 2023, the concern over public safety and brown bear attacks remains an ongoing challenge for the Environment Ministry of Japan and local authorities.
