[Editorial] We must steadily secure personnel for bear countermeasures.

For those wishing to share this article within their company, reproduce or copy it for meeting materials, or order printed copies, please see the link provided. In a ruling on a lawsuit questioning the appropriateness of using gunfire to cull bears, the Supreme Court emphasized the public interest of the culling activities. While bear damage is on the rise, the number of hunters is declining significantly. This ruling should serve as an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of their role. We must steadily advance the securing and training of personnel involved in bear countermeasures, including specialists responsible for zoning management to prevent bears from approaching populated areas. The lawsuit was filed by a man whose hunting license was revoked on the grounds that there was a risk of bullets hitting buildings during the culling of brown bears. The Supreme Court pointed out that "this activity has significant importance in protecting the lives, property, and living environment of surrounding residents," and ruled that the punishment was "too severe." For many years, the culling of bears and other harmful wildlife has been entrusted to hunters belonging to private hunting associations. Although there are movements to increase compensation, there is criticism that the amount is low compared to the dangers involved. According to the Ministry of the Environment, there are approximately 84,000 holders of Class 1 hunting licenses (for rifles and shotguns) as of 2021, and this number is decreasing year by year. Only a small fraction of these hunters possess the knowledge and experience necessary to deal with bears. The government aims to triple the number of local government employees involved in bear capture and other related activities to approximately 2,500 by 2030. Efforts to utilize government hunters and police officers have also begun, but their effectiveness remains unknown. Bear control is not limited to extermination. Measures to prevent bears from appearing in human living areas, as well as understanding and managing their population, are crucial. For this, the presence of experts knowledgeable about bear ecology is essential. Bears have a wide range of movement, making it difficult for individual local governments to handle these issues alone. The Ministry of the Environment has assigned "bear control specialists" to regional offices in Hokkaido, Tohoku, and other areas. The national government must take the lead in strengthening wide-area countermeasures. With the arrival of spring, bears awaken from hibernation and become more active. In residential areas, do not leave food waste lying around. Cut down grass that provides cover. When going into the mountains for gathering wild vegetables or other activities, carry a bell or bear spray. We should also be thorough in taking individual precautions.