Japan, Nov 13 (Kyodo/APP): Amended rules took effect on Thursday permitting police officers in Japan to use rifles to kill bears, in response to a recent surge in attacks on humans.
As the country ramps up efforts to tackle the attacks, police have expanded the scope of their use of rifles, which had been limited to dealing with or preventing serious criminal incidents such as hijackings.
According to the Environment Ministry, the number of deaths caused by bears since April reached a record 13 as of Nov. 5.
Police firearms task forces from various prefectures will work with local police in Iwate and Akita prefectures in northeastern Japan, where the highest number of bear attacks have been reported, to respond to animals that have encroached on urban areas.
Each prefecture will have two teams consisting of a commanding officer, a liaison to local authorities and two snipers.
In September, legislative revisions went into effect granting Japanese municipalities the ability to commission hunters to perform “emergency shootings” of dangerous animals, such as bears, that entered populated areas.
If there is not enough time to wait for the local authorities’ approval for an emergency shooting, police officers are permitted to kill bears.
Until now, the police have taken steps such as evacuating local residents, securing the surrounding area and patrolling school routes where bears have been seen.
The Japanese government will also revise existing measures against encroaching bears by the middle of this month. The measures include hiring people with hunting licenses and encouraging former police officers and former Self-Defense Forces members to obtain the licenses.