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[Tom MoodyParticipant]

GSDF deployed to Akita Prefecture amid rise in bear attacks

Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force were dispatched to Akita Prefecture to assist with bear control on Wednesday — although they are not permitted to cull the bears — as the number of attacks and subsequent fatalities continue to rise in the prefecture and nationwide.
“We had been receiving desperate cries from the ground saying they could no longer manage the situation, and it is simply impossible to respond with only the resources available within the prefecture, including the municipalities, the prefectural police, and the local hunting association,” said Akita Gov. Kenta Suzuki on Wednesday morning. “Meanwhile, residents’ lives and property are being threatened on a daily basis.”

“In light of this reality, we have decided to request the cooperation of the Defense Ministry,” which oversees the Self-Defense Forces, he added.

It is rare, though not the first time, for the SDF to be deployed to help with animal control. In the 2010s, the SDF offered logistical support in Hokkaido to help cull Yezo deer, which were damaging crops.

Suzuki — who himself is a former GSDF member — asked the Defense Ministry last week to dispatch the GSDF to help with bear attacks. GSDF personnel were deployed in the city of Kazuno on Wednesday.

They will mainly assist with transporting traps used to capture the bears, which members of the hunting associations in the prefecture will then set up.

For the time being, the GSDF will dispatch 15 personnel to the prefecture who will be accompanied by two members of the local hunting association and officials from the local government while they carry the bear traps to designated locations.

However, the GSDF troops will not actually shoot any bears since they are not trained to fire hunting rifles for the purpose of culling wild animals.

According to the GSDF, its use of weapons in Japan is permitted on a case-by-case basis depending on the specific circumstances. But it has been decided that there is no need to carry weapons for this bear mission, an official from the GSDF said.

Arinobu Goryouda, who is the head lawyer at the Ranger Goryouda Law firm and also a former GSDF member, explains that under the Self-Defense Forces Act, the use of weapons is permitted only in cases of defense mobilization, public security operations, guard duties and certain types of disaster-relief dispatch — none of which currently cover any situation involving a bear.

The Howa Type 89 assault rifle, which is the standard service rifle used by the SDF, would also most likely be ineffective against a bear even if they were allowed to be used.

“It uses a relatively small 5.56-mm caliber and is designed for anti-personnel use, so the power (to stop bears) is limited,” Goryouda said. “It also lacks an effective close-range firing mode and is therefore likely to miss, making its effectiveness, even if employed, low.”

Since the GSDF will be operating in groups while accompanied by members of the local hunting association who are experienced in the terrain, they will be taking the utmost precautions to avoid direct encounters with bears during their mission, a GSDF official said.

If they do come across one, GSDF officers will take measures such as intimidating the bear with a protective shield or using bear spray, depending on the circumstances.

The SDF was deployed based on Article 100 of the SDF Act, which states that the troops can be deployed as part of “training” to help out with public works projects and transportation missions for national and local governments.

“The primary mission of the Defense Ministry and the SDF is national defense, and therefore they cannot engage in unlimited bear-control activities,” said Defense Minister Shinjro Koizumi on Tuesday when announcing the dispatchment.

“However, given their duty to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people in light of the exceptional nature of the current situation, it has been decided that they will provide transportation support in Akita Prefecture,” he added.

On Wednesday morning, Suzuki signed a deal with representatives from the GSDF that outlined details regarding troops’ cooperation in the operations.

At least 56 people have suffered injuries from bear attacks in Akita Prefecture so far this year as of Tuesday, and four others have died.

The prefecture has been struggling to protect its residents from bears, which are increasingly appearing in residential areas.

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