Members of the Iwate prefectural police bear control project team attend a deployment ceremony in Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture on November 13, 2025. - JIJI Press/AFP
TOKYO: Japan is trying to enlist retired police officers to fight bears as the nation battles a record wave of deadly attacks this year, a top official said Friday (Nov 14).
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara led a special ministerial meeting and approved a policy package that includes asking those with experience handling guns, such as retired police and soldiers, to join efforts to cull the animal.
