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July 05, 2026
 

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ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY

Bear bells are displayed for sale at a souvenir shop at Shirakawa-go, a popular tourist spot and one of Japan's UNESCO World Heritage sites, in the village of Shirakawa, Gifu Prefecture, on Nov. 15.
JAPAN / Society
Dec 6, 2025
Japan’s bear-related casualties hit record on escalating attacks
A record 230 were killed or injured by bears in Japan since April, putting more pressure on the government to intervene.
A security camera captures a bear outside the entrance of the Omura Museum of Art in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, on Nov. 5.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 2, 2025
A five-point plan to address Japan’s bear crisis
A deeper, long-term driver is reshaping the landscape. Over the 40 years leading up to 2018, the distribution of bears in Japan expanded to nearly twice its former size.
A Self-Defense Forces member holds a shield during practice setting up a bear trap in Kazuno, Akita Prefecture, on Nov. 5.
JAPAN
Nov 17, 2025
Wild bears attacked 196 people in Japan between April and October
By prefecture, Akita had the highest number of casualties during the April-October period, with 56, including three fatalities.
A bear warning sign. Bears have been increasingly encroaching into towns where the human population is greying and dwindling.
JAPAN
Oct 22, 2025
Japan vows tougher measures after record bear attack deaths
Bears have been increasingly encroaching into towns where the human population is greying and dwindling.
A bear was shot dead in the city of Sendai under a revised law allowing city authorities to kill bears in urban areas.
JAPAN
Oct 16, 2025
Bear shot in city of Sendai under revised law
The bear appeared near a residential area in Kagitori, Taihaku Ward, in the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture,
Bear warning signs at the Akita Prefectural Government building
JAPAN
Oct 14, 2025
As temperatures drop in Japan, bear attacks shoot up to historic highs
A total of 39 people sustained injuries from bear attacks in September alone.
The Environment Ministry and other government agencies decided to strengthen calls for caution, as bear sightings are feared to increase this autumn.
JAPAN
Sep 12, 2025
Asian black bear sightings hit record high in Japan
Bear sightings are feared to increase this autumn due to an expected poor harvest of beech nuts, a key food source.
Japan allows municipalities to authorize the shooting of wild bears in residential areas under an amended law aimed at preventing further attacks.
JAPAN
Sep 2, 2025
Shooting bears in residential areas made easier in Japan
Many bear cases have already been reported in various parts of the country so far this fiscal year.
The Environment Ministry plans to increase subsidies to local governments to fund projects such as setting up fences to prevent bears from encroaching into populated areas, as well as training personnel who can react when there are sightings.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2025
Environment Ministry to boost support for local governments facing bear attacks
Funds will enable municipalities to secure and train staff able to respond to incidents involving bears.
A worker displays a handful of shredded hard drive pieces for e-waste processing at a facility in Festac, Nigeria, in 2020.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Aug 21, 2025
Urban mining eases the critical minerals crunch 
Governments are waking up to the potential of e-waste recycling, and Japan is leading the way.
Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima Prefecture
JAPAN
Jul 16, 2025
Lake Inawashiro registered as internationally important wetland under Ramsar Convention
The designation marks the 54th wetland in Japan to be registered under the international treaty.
Following a string of bear attacks that led to human injuries, the Environment Ministry has announced guidelines that list conditions and procedures for allowing the shooting of bears and other wild animals in urban areas.
JAPAN / Society
Jul 8, 2025
Japan releases guidelines on shooting of bears in urban areas
The move follows a string of bear attacks that led to human injuries.
Eating locally grown food could be part of a decokatsu lifestyle that's both good for the planet and your wallet.
ENVIRONMENT / Sustainability / OUR PLANET
Jun 15, 2025
Decokatsu could save you money and help the planet. But you probably haven’t heard of it.
The ambitious government program aims to get people to live in ways that are healthier for the planet without being restrictive about it.
The Environment Ministry is offering ¥60 billion ($415 million) of support for the commercialization of homegrown climate and environmental technology through the Japan Green Investment Corp. for Carbon Neutrality, a government-backed fund that invests in ventures to reduce emissions.
JAPAN
May 29, 2025
Japan bets on homegrown startups to adapt to a hotter world
The Environment Ministry is offering ¥60 billion of support through the Japan Green Investment Corp. for Carbon Neutrality.
Hachidori Solar President Shota Ikeda in Tokyo in January
ENVIRONMENT
May 18, 2025
A 26-year-old asked to help shape Japan’s climate goals has a warning
Shota Ikeda has called for emissions reductions of at least 75% to be considered.
An Environment Ministry survey found that PFAS in groundwater and river water exceeded the provisional standard at 242 locations nationwide.
JAPAN
Apr 25, 2025
Potentially carcinogenic PFAS chemicals over standard at 242 sites in Japan
Japan banned the production and import of PFOS and PFOA, both of which are main components of PFAS, by 2021.
Emissions from industry in fiscal 2023 declined 4.0% from the previous year, and those from households fell 6.8%, according to the Environment Ministry.
JAPAN
Apr 25, 2025
Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions fall to a record low in fiscal 2023
The decrease came as the proportion of renewable and nuclear energy exceeded 30% of overall power sources and manufacturing activities slowed.
People walk near Tokyo's Sensoji temple in July 2024 amid a heat wave.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Apr 19, 2025
Japan to start special heatstroke alert system Wednesday
The Environment Ministry will issue the special alert when dangerous heat levels are expected.
Burnt power banks containing lithium-ion batteries are shown at the Consumer Affairs Agency
JAPAN
Apr 17, 2025
Japan urges proper disposal of lithium-ion batteries
The Environment Ministry issued a notice to local governments on Tuesday requesting the thorough separation and collection of such batteries.
The Environment Ministry has removed more than 200 species from its red list of endangered plants and fungi, with the removal largely reflecting a recovery of populations. For instance, the Cypripedium macranthos var. rebunense, which grows on Rebun Island in Hokkaido, has been moved to the "near threatened" category.
ENVIRONMENT / Wildlife
Mar 18, 2025
Japan removes 207 species from red list of endangered plants and fungi
The decrease largely reflects the recovery of populations, though 57 species were recognized as extinct.
‘My dream is broken’: Japan visa rules push out foreign residents
A man orders from a kebab shop in the Okubo district in Tokyo.
Japan plans to sharply raise fees for residence permits from October
Foreign tourists walk on the path leading to the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in May.
Japan’s princesses face life-altering legal revisions
Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito, said in a 2022 news conference upon coming of age that she hopes to “spend a long time together” with her parents.
Japanese police arrest nine over Sierra Leone-based special fraud
Japanese police have arrested nine individuals for their alleged involvement in a special fraud case using Sierra Leone as a base.
Japanese-language education is at a turning point
The country is gradually transforming Japanese-language education from a volunteer-driven system into a professional, government-supported network to better serve its growing foreign population. 
Iran war exposed, but hasn’t changed, Japan’s reliance on imported oil
Wind turbines generate energy from strong easterly winds on the Shonai Plain in Yamagata Prefecture. Despite the oil crisis caused by conflict near the Strait of Hormuz, and concerns instability in the region could continue to impact supply and the price of imports, the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi does not seem to be drawing on the war as a pretext to hasten progress toward Japan's renewable goals.
Six of the best: rikishi of note in each sumo division
Kazuma (right) faces off against future <i>yokozuna</i> Onosato during the All Japan Amateur Sumo Championships at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo in December 2020.
Some startups see opportunity in an aging Japan
Yasmin Baba, CTO of Amilis, wins the Grand Prize at the Pitch2Tokyo Grand Final on Feb. 19.
Japan’s fertility system offers few safe paths for same-sex couples
A Tokyo Pride parade participant holds a sign that says "we want to be a married couple, not a couple."
Life inside Japan’s largest prison for women
Western-style rooms spanning the size of four tatami mats with hardwood floors, a toilet and soft mattresses on bed frames are designated for foreign nationals and those with health conditions at Tochigi Prison.

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