A hunter shot and killed a male Asian black bear in Asahi-cho, Toyama, on June 20, 2026 [1].

The incident highlights the tension between urban expansion and wildlife habitats, as the animal was located just 200 meters [3] from the town center.

Local authorities authorized the cull under the "emergency gun hunting" system after the bear was deemed a risk to public safety. The animal was located in a coastal protective forest near a nursing home [1]. Sightings of the bear near the coastline and river mouth had begun on June 17, 2026 [6].

About 20 people [2] participated in the search and monitoring operation, including local police and the authorized hunter. The operation ended when the hunter fired the lethal shot on Saturday morning [1].

Officials said the bear was about one meter long [4] and weighed approximately 40 kg [5]. The animal's proximity to residential areas and care facilities necessitated the immediate use of firearms to prevent potential human casualties.

Asahi-cho officials said the emergency permit was the only viable way to eliminate the threat quickly. The use of such permits is common in Japan when wildlife enters densely populated areas and fails to retreat to the mountains.

“A male Asian black bear was shot and killed under the “emergency gun hunting” system”

The use of emergency gun hunting permits in Toyama reflects a broader Japanese administrative strategy to prioritize human safety over wildlife conservation when animals enter urban zones. By authorizing lethal force for a 40-kg bear near a nursing home, local authorities signaled that the risk of a predatory encounter in a high-vulnerability area outweighs the effort of relocation.