TOKYO REPORT: Drones See Wider Use in Japan to Counter Bear Attacks

Tokyo, Aug. 17 (Jiji Press)–Amid a surge in bear-related incidents across Japan, local governments and companies are increasingly turning to drones as part of efforts to prevent attacks and reduce damage. Beyond their use in aerial searches for bears, drones are proving effective as a preventive tool, helping keep the animals away from human settlements, including urban areas. At the same time, however, Japan faces a shortage of personnel capable of operating drones safely. Thermal Search Cameras In early June, a bear entered residential and commercial areas in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan. Around 20 sightings over four days prompted the city to close all municipal elementary and junior high schools. In response, the city government deployed a drone equipped with a thermal-imaging camera capable of detecting heat sources. From above, the drone searched bushes, the shadows of buildings and other hard-to-see areas at Utsunomiya University, where the bear had been spotted. It was the first time for Utsunomiya to use a drone in a bear search. Although the animal was not found, a city official said the operation had been worthwhile. “We were able to thoroughly search areas that are difficult to see with the naked eye,” the official said. In June, the city government of Nagai in Yamagata Prefecture, northeastern Japan, also began using drones to patrol areas along school commuting routes. Equipped with loudspeakers, the drones emit warning sounds intended to deter bears and drive them away before children leave home for school. The initiative is also designed to reduce risks for people involved in patrols. One aim is to “avoid endangering the lives of those conducting patrols, including members of local hunting clubs,” an official in the city’s agriculture and forestry section said. According to preliminary figures released by the Environment Ministry, bear sightings nationwide, excluding Hokkaido, reached 50,801 in fiscal 2025. Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture, does not release comparable data. The total for the year through March this year was 4.6 times higher than three years earlier, while the number of human casualties reached a record 216. In April and May, sightings increased further, rising 90 pct from the level recorded during the same period last year. Manufacturers of small unmanned aerial vehicles, including drones, are viewing the growing concern over bears as a business opportunity. Tokyo-based Terra Drone Corp. has developed a bear-deterrent drone that can be operated from up to 1 kilometer away and can spray a liquid containing pungent compounds derived from chili peppers. The company is marketing the model mainly to local governments. KDDI SmartDrone Inc., also based in Tokyo, has installed a dedicated permanent drone port on the rooftop of the town hall in Shintotsukawa, Hokkaido. The system enables a drone to be launched within five minutes of a request and dispatched to the site in question. Personnel Shortage Government deregulation has helped accelerate the use of drones in response to bear sightings in urban areas. Last December, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism partially revised the civil aeronautics law to allow the immediate use of drones in densely populated residential areas during emergencies, such as when there is an urgent need to prevent attacks by wildlife, without prior ministry approval. This exception was applied in the case of Utsunomiya. According to the city government, flight approval procedures previously took nearly a full day to complete. Following the revision, however, drones can now be deployed more flexibly. The main challenge is a shortage of drone operators. A national pilot qualification is required to operate drones beyond visual line of sight, including in mountainous or forested areas, or at night. According to the transport ministry, there were about 45,000 holders of unmanned aircraft pilot qualifications in Japan as of the end of June this year. Although the number of qualified pilots is rising, opportunities to fly drones outdoors remain limited due to regulations under the civil aeronautics law and other rules. As a result, many licensed operators lack the practical experience needed to refine their skills. KDDI SmartDrone is discussing plans to launch drone training courses for hunting associations. “It’s important not only to introduce new technology but also to develop local human resources,” a company official said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]