東京のクマ目撃が3倍に急増…一方で千葉はゼロ？専門家が指摘する“地形の壁”と自治体の対策 【Nスタ解説】｜TBS NEWS DIG

This year, bear sightings have been frequent, and in April, a bear was even photographed walking in front of a house in Tokyo. Currently, vigilance against bears is necessary throughout Japan. ■Successive Bear Attacks: Are They Breeding Near Urban Areas? Sightings Also in Kanto Region Ayumi Yamauchi, News Anchor: Bears are not only found in the mountains, but recently, sightings have been increasing in urban areas as well. The following is a summary of bear sightings in the Kanto region from January 1st to May 14th, 2026: 【2026 Bear Sightings】 ▼Saitama: 13 cases ▼Tokyo: 24 cases ▼Kanagawa: 15 cases ▼Chiba: 0 cases Last year (2025), Tokyo had only 8 sightings during the same period, so this year's number is three times higher. Previously, sightings were mostly in areas with dense greenery, but it seems they are gradually approaching urban areas. Regarding the reason for bears appearing in urban areas, Professor Toru Oi of Ishikawa Prefectural University analyzes that bears learn that there is food in areas where people live. He suggests that these learned bears may be breeding in forests near urban areas. This means that they are not descending from the mountains to the city, but rather breeding near urban areas. ■Do bears not inhabit Chiba? Topography is a factor Yamauchi (Anchor): However, in the Kanto region, there have been absolutely no sightings in Chiba. It is believed that bears do not inhabit Chiba Prefecture, and Professor Oi says that "the reason bears do not inhabit Chiba Prefecture is the topography." 【Reasons why bears do not inhabit Chiba Prefecture】 (1) It is located in the Kanto Plain and is far from the mountains (2) It is surrounded by the sea on three sides (east, west, and south) He says that there is insufficient forest area for bears to inhabit, making it questionable whether they can breed. Hibiki Maiko (Anchor): It seems that news about bears is increasing year by year, which means that the damage is also increasing. Bears are being sighted even in areas that aren't mountainous, so we need to be prepared for the unexpected. ■ Bear Countermeasures: Local Governments Offer Bear Repellent Spray Rentals and Subsidies Yamauchi (Caster): "Bear countermeasures" are becoming a more immediate concern. Local governments are offering free rentals of bear repellent sprays or subsidizing the purchase cost. 【Free Bear Repellent Spray Rental】 8 cities and towns including Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture Ikawa Town, Akita Prefecture, etc. *Mainly for lending to organizations 【Bear Repellent Spray Purchase Cost Subsidies】 Matsuda Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, Higashiagatsuma Town, Gunma Prefecture, etc. → Half of the purchase price (up to 5,000 yen) Subsidies and rentals are only available to residents, so please check with your local government. On the other hand, there are also services that anyone can rent. ■ "As a Good Luck Charm": Outdoor Manufacturers Offer Bear Repellent Spray Rentals The outdoor manufacturer "Montbell" sells bear repellent spray. Because it's certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency, it's expensive at 12,100 yen. Originally, it was only sold, but rentals started in 2024. ▼3 days: 2,500 yen + 12,000 yen deposit (refundable if not used) This means you can take the spray with you to the mountains as a kind of safety net. Reservations can be made online, making rentals easy. Hibiki (Anchor): There have been many bear attacks, so we need to increase the availability of bear repellent for things like school field trips and leisure activities for children. Hasumi (Anchor): It might be necessary to organize information on how adults should respond in an emergency. Takayanagi (Anchor): When I covered the forest fire in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, I also took a bear bell and spray with me. Bears are starting to appear in areas where they hadn't been before, so I feel we need to be careful, including in Chiba Prefecture (where there hadn't been any sightings). ▼TBS NEWS DIG Official Website: https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/ ▼Subscribe to our channel [Easier access to the latest news]    / @tbsnewsdig   ▼NEWS DIG Latest News [Important information close at hand] https://www.google.com/preferences/so... ▼Submit information here: "TBS Insiders" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/tbs-ins... ▼Submit video here: "TBS Scoop Submission" https://www.tbs.co.jp/news_sp/toukou.... #news #TBS #newsdig