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As bear sightings and attacks become an increasing public safety concern, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said on July 10 that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to train more hunters ahead of lifting its ban on hunting Asian black bears.<\/p>\n
Tokyo has prohibited bear hunting since April 2008 to protect the species. However, with the bear population increasing and more animals being spotted near residential areas, the metropolitan government is considering lifting the ban from the next fiscal year.<\/p>\n
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Environment, an estimated 120 to 378 Asian black bears live in the capital’s mountainous regions.<\/p>\n
Training More Hunters<\/p>\n
Speaking at a regular press conference, Koike said the government would “systematically train hunters and strengthen our bear capture capabilities in cooperation with local hunting associations and the Metropolitan Police Department.”<\/p>\n
She said Tokyo is considering measures to increase the number of licensed hunters, including offering license exams more frequently, holding introductory training courses for beginners, and providing hands-on field training in simulated bear capture operations led by experienced hunters.<\/p>\n
Managing the Bear Population\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tokyo also plans to draw up a new wildlife management plan under the Protection and Management of Wildlife Law. The plan will determine how many bears may be hunted and where hunting will be permitted.<\/p>\n
In addition to the current system, which allows emergency shootings when bears enter residential areas, the new framework would also permit hunting in designated mountainous areas to help manage the growing bear population.<\/p>\n