Japan's Environment Ministry to survey bear habitats across Tohoku and northern Niigata starting late June

The Environment Ministry announced Tuesday it will conduct surveys in late June on bear habitats and populations in the six Tohoku prefectures and the northern part of Niigata Prefecture, with results expected to be compiled by the end of fiscal 2026.

About 800 automated cameras will be installed in mountainous areas and satoyama managed forests (forests with traditional human management) to measure population size, density, distribution, and behavioral trends across wide areas, since bears often roam across prefectural borders.

The ministry plans to expand the surveys nationwide over the next three to four years, excluding the Shikoku western region and the Kyushu southwestern region, using a unified survey approach to address inconsistencies in data from local government surveys that use different methods and timelines.