Travelers are advised to stay alert, follow local guidance, and enroll in STEP for updates.
The U.S. State Department has issued a safety warning for parts of Japan, a country that has long been considered one of the safest in the world to visit, because of an increase in bear attacks in the north of the country.
More than a dozen people have been killed by bears so far in Japan this year, and another bear sighting this week in Maruyama Park in the northern city of Sapporo has led authorities there to close the park for two weeks. The U.S. Consulate in Sapporo, which is near Maruyama Park, issued the warning, noting that in addition to the park, bears have also been spotted in residential areas in Hokkaido and Akita prefectures.
The consulate advises U.S. citizens in the area to avoid the park during the closure (although the consulate remains open), be aware of their surroundings, and report any further sightings of bears to local authorities.
The bear warnings have not affected the travel advisory level for the country of Japan, which remains at Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions. This is the lowest level in the four-tier advisory system operated by the State Department, meaning that U.S. citizens visiting the country don’t need to take any additional steps outside of what they would normally do to ensure their safety and security abroad.
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In addition to the bear-related deaths, bears have also injured more than 100 people in Japan since April. The government has dispatched troops from the country’s Self-Defense Force to some areas affected by an increase in bear sightings, although it has been careful to note that the troops will not carry firearms, which are heavily restricted in Japan. The troops will be equipped with bear spray, batons, shields, bulletproof jackets, goggles, and net launchers.
Authorities believe that a lower acorn yield this year has driven wild bears closer to residential areas in search of food. Japan’s bear population has been slowly growing, and the encroachment of growing towns on wilderness areas has increased the likelihood of human contact with bears.
Similarly to North America, Japan has both black and brown bears, including the Ussuri brown bear, which is found on the island of Hokkaido and in the Russian Far East. The Ussuri brown bear is a relative of the North American grizzly bear. In Hokkaido, they range between 440 to 660 pounds. Black and brown bears in Japan are largely vegetarian, and most humans who are injured or killed in bear contacts are mauled by bears who are startled or frightened and fear for their safety or the safety of their cubs. Both the brown bears, and black bears—known in Japan as moon bears—can outrun humans.
To prevent bear attacks, it’s advisable to travel in groups, as bears rarely attack multiple people, and to make noise to avoid stumbling upon and startling a bear. Bears are also typically sighted near dusk and dawn, when they forage for food. It’s not advisable to attempt to outrun a bear or climb a tree, and to maintain eye contact, not make sudden movements, and back away slowly, being sure not to turn their back on the bear. As a last resort, one should lay on the ground face down, using the hands to protect the head and neck.
U.S. citizens in Japan can enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and provide their travel dates and contact information to receive department updates on safety warnings and other messages while traveling abroad.
More than 2.7 million Americans visited Japan in 2024, a 33% increase over the previous year.
AloJapan.com