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There are two
of bear in Japan and their numbers have surged in the past
. Estimates suggest the Asian black bear population has
tripled since 2012 — rising from about 15,000 to around 44,000. The larger and more
Ussuri brown bears,
to the northern island of Hokkaido, have doubled in number. There are several reasons for the
in bear populations. One is the
of beech nuts, which scientists attribute to climate change. Another
is a
number of licensed hunters, who were largely responsible for bear culls. Finally, a depopulation of
areas means bears are venturing into towns and villages.
