On March 27, the government compiled a road map to address issues involving bears.

The move came as Japan has experienced the worst-ever bear-related damage this fiscal year ending March 31, including bear attacks that left 13 people dead.

To better manage the growing bear population, the road map sets a goal of capturing 3,800 bears in the Tohoku region in northeastern Japan during next fiscal year, representing about 20 percent of their estimated population there.

Environment Minister Ishihara Hirotaka said the government aims to reduce the number of bears in Tohoku and other affected regions to around 65 percent of current levels by fiscal 2030.

Ishihara also said the government intends to do its utmost to prevent human casualties like those seen this fiscal year and that relevant Cabinet ministers will meet regularly to monitor the situation.