Japan has created an emergency plan to address record bear attacks. Bears have killed 13 people and injured more than 100 since April. The death toll is the highest since records began. The plan is to cut the numbers of deaths, injuries, and bear encounters. Authorities will try to reduce bear populations. Another feature is the setting of bear-capture targets. Authorities will also try to separate bear habitats from residential areas.

There are two species of bear in Japan. Their numbers have surged in the past decade. The black bear population has tripled from 15,000 to 44,000. The larger and more dangerous brown bears have doubled in number. One reason why bear populations are increasing is a shortage of beech nuts. Another reason is a declining number of hunters. Finally, depopulation in rural areas means bears are wandering into towns and villages.