This is footage of an Asian black bear captured in Hinode Town, Tokyo, about 20 years ago.

Although it was only about eight months old, the cub already had razor-sharp claws.

There has been a major new development in Tokyo regarding the management of these bears.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government presented a draft plan to its advisory council that would lift the current ban on Asian black bear hunting on a limited basis for the first time in about 20 years.

Super: Tokyo - 2025

The metropolitan government estimates that between 120 and 378 Asian black bears live within Tokyo and plans to lift the hunting ban starting next fiscal year.

Super: Tokyo - April 2026 / Courtesy of 小寺敦之

In April, a bear appeared near a private home in Hachioji City, Tokyo, slowly making its way toward the residence.

Super: Tokyo - July 8, 2026

We visited Hachioji today, where bears have increasingly ventured into residential areas.

Reporter / Warning posters about bears have been put up here.

Posters reading "There Are Bears in Tokyo, Too" can now be seen throughout the neighborhood.

Resident:

It's frightening. I keep looking around, wondering when one might appear. But if one actually does, there's really nothing I can do.

Super: Tokyo - April 2026 / Courtesy of 小寺敦之 

Today, we also visited the location where the bear appeared—an incident the homeowner described as completely unexpected.

Super: Tokyo - July 8, 2026

Environment Minister Ishihara Hirotaka inspected the site today and received a briefing on the circumstances surrounding the sighting.

Environment Minister Ishihara Hirotaka: 

    Bears are now entering urban areas where many people live.

   Once again, I strongly feel the seriousness of a situation that threatens the peaceful daily lives of our citizens.

He also announced plans to establish a dedicated bear response team within the Ministry of the Environment to deal specifically with bear sightings in urban areas.

Super: Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture - June 2026 / Courtesy of Orion Shopping Street

Last month, a bear was also spotted in a shopping district in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture.

Super: Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture - June 2026 / Courtesy of viewer

Resident:  It’s climbing. That bear is climbing. 

                      Oh my goodness. It’s enormous.

Super: Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture - June 2026 / Courtesy of Orion Shopping Street

Additional bear sightings were reported after that as well.

Bear encounters have now become a growing concern even in urban areas across the Kanto region.

Will Tokyo's proposal to lift the hunting ban for the first time in 20 years help curb the growing bear problem?

Yamazaki Koji, Ibaraki Nature Museum Director :

"There are several advantages to bear population management. First, it can help control the bear population."

Super: Tokyo - April 2026 / Courtesy of 小寺敦之

"Second, hunting means people carrying firearms and accompanied by hunting dogs regularly enter the mountains. As a result, bears come to associate the smell of metal, the scent of gunpowder, and the sound of barking dogs with unpleasant experiences whenever they encounter people."

However, he says the proposal also comes with significant challenges.

"After 20 years without hunting, we've lost much of our knowledge of the mountains—where bears are and where hunting efforts should be focused. On top of that, the number of licensed hunters has declined dramatically. Realistically, training new hunters will take five to ten years."

He also expressed concern about the growing number of bear sightings.

"Compared with the Tohoku region, the situation in Tokyo and the Kanto region is not yet as severe. However, if current trends continue, we cannot rule out the possibility of facing the same problems. That's why I believe considering the lifting of the hunting ban is an important option for taking action before the situation worsens."