On Wednesday, the Defense Department agreed to deploy the army to stop the attacks, writes AP.
The first soldiers have now been deployed to a forested mountainous area in northern Akita. Equipped with white helmets, bulletproof vests and bear spray, they will set traps with food and assist with the transport of local hunters. However, they will not kill the animals themselves.
However, on Thursday, a law change was passed that allows riot police to carry rifles to shoot the bears, AFP reports. Together with the soldiers, the police officers are now being sent to Akita and the neighboring Iwate region.
In recent months, bears have terrorized Akita, especially in the prefecture. The predators have attacked tourists, entered shops and been seen near schools, parks and train stations. Almost daily, unexpected encounters with bears looking for food before hibernation are reported.
The attacks are attributed to the bears moving closer to human settlements, partly as a result of climate change, which has caused a shortage of acorns and other food. Fruit grower Takahiro Ikeda has had over 200 apples eaten by the hungry animals, reports Japanese public broadcaster NHK.
"My heart is broken," he says.
