After the increase in human encounters with wild animals, Japan's cabinet passed a bill on Friday that would allow people to shoot bears at their own discretion.

In the 12 months to April 2024, 219 people were attacked by bears across the country and six people died. Climate change has affected the bear's food sources and winter inactivity (hibernation) time, as well as an aging society that comes with a decrease in the birth rate, the animals frequently attack the city in search of food.  

After widespread complaints that human lives are at risk from wild animal attacks due to administrative hassles in necessary procedures, the government has allowed 'emergency shooting' under the revised Wildlife Protection and Management Act.

An official of the Ministry of Environment told AFP on condition of anonymity, "The Ministry of Environment will present the bill to Parliament in the coming months and pass it before autumn." Currently, it is prohibited to shoot animals such as bears or boars in residential areas.