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Latest updates and analysis about bear activity in Japan
Bear Attack Trends in Japan 2025: A Record-Breaking Year
Bears killed 13 people in Japan in 2025, the deadliest year since records began. Over 217 were injured. Here's what drove the crisis.
![Bears in Japan: Complete Guide to Species, Safety & Where They Live [2025]](/blog/bears-in-japan-guide.webp)
Bears in Japan: Complete Guide to Species, Safety & Where They Live [2025]
Japan is home to two bear species that have killed 13 people in 2025 alone. Learn where they live, why encounters are surging, and how to stay safe in bear country.
Why Bears Aren't Hibernating in Japan This Winter
On December 7, 2025, a bear chased a snowboarder down a Nagano ski slope. With 13 fatalities and over 3,400 sightings in the past month alone, Japan's bear crisis has extended into winter. Here's what's driving it.
Kanji of the Year 2025: Japan Chose 熊 (Bear)
Japan selected 熊 as the 2025 Kanji of the Year after a record year of bear encounters. The character won by just 180 votes over 米 (rice).
Bear Incident Map for Japan
100,000+ bear incidents from across Japan, translated and mapped.