Japan's Defense Ministry dispatched troops to the northern prefecture of Akita on Wednesday to assist in managing a spike in bear attacks that have terrified locals in the mountainous region.

Bears have been spotted near schools, train stations, supermarkets and even a hot springs resort, with almost daily reports of attacks across Japan, primarily in the north. Since April, over 100 people have been injured and at least 12 killed in bear attacks throughout Japan, as per Environment Ministry statistics from the end of October.

"Every day, bears intrude into residential areas in the region and their impact is expanding," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Fumitoshi Sato informed reporters. "Responses to the bear problem are an urgent matter."

Don't the Japanese hunt? No tradition or no weapons? Seems like they are making a big deal over something that could be resolved fairly quickly. Military? Really?

Firearms are extremely restricted in Japan. You can only have a shotgun or airgun if you can pass their requirements. So the military is the only answer!

Been thinking about this I’d bet there’s a bunch in the U.S. military that would gladly take care of this problem on shore leave.

Shotgun, bow, crossbow, it's just a bear and any of those would work fine.

i would think they would start trapping and selling them to zoos or chinese medicine men

Send in Bruce. He is off work now and I bet he could get 100 on the first day. Problem solved and Bruce gets out of Maine for the winter.

Weapons in general are EXTREMELY regulated over there . Like worse then the UK. Also as far as a hunting culture....it's kinda dead over there