Japan's Bear Crisis Exposes Environmental Colonial Legacy

While Japan grapples with a deadly bear crisis that has claimed 13 lives this year, the country's response reveals deeper questions about humanity's relationship with nature and the consequences of industrial development that mirrors patterns seen across the Global South.

The surge in bear attacks, which has doubled previous records, stems from what scientists identify as a perfect storm of environmental disruption: rapidly growing bear populations colliding with shrinking rural communities and climate-induced food shortages that force these magnificent creatures to seek sustenance in human settlements.

From Crisis to Commodity

In the hilly city of Chichibu near Tokyo, restaurant owner Koji Suzuki has witnessed an unprecedented demand for bear meat as the government launches massive culling operations. "With news about bears growing, the number of customers who want to eat their meat has increased a lot," the 71-year-old hunter told AFP.

This transformation from crisis to commodity reflects a troubling pattern where environmental disasters become opportunities for commercial exploitation. The government has allocated 18.4 billion yen in subsidies to control bear populations while promoting what officials euphemistically call "sustainable consumption."

Suzuki's wife Chieko, who runs their restaurant, now frequently turns away customers eager to consume the flesh of culled bears. Meanwhile, upscale establishments in Sapporo offer multi-course bear meals for around $70, turning ecological tragedy into gourmet entertainment.

Environmental Justice and Indigenous Wisdom

The bear crisis exposes fundamental flaws in Japan's approach to environmental stewardship. While mountainous villages have traditionally consumed bear meat as part of sustainable practices, the current industrial-scale culling represents a departure from indigenous wisdom toward corporate-driven solutions.

The deployment of riot police and military troops to hunt bears reveals the militarization of environmental policy, treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes. This approach mirrors colonial attitudes toward nature that prioritize human dominance over ecological balance.

Climate Change and Systemic Failure

Scientists point to poor acorn harvests and habitat disruption as key drivers of the crisis. These factors reflect broader climate change impacts that disproportionately affect the Global South, where communities lack resources for adaptation.

Brown bear populations in Hokkaido have doubled over three decades to more than 11,500, while Japanese black bears spread across the country. The government's reversal of protection measures highlights the failure of conservation policies that don't address underlying environmental justice issues.

Much of the bear meat still goes to waste due to insufficient processing facilities, revealing the hollow nature of claims about "turning nuisance wildlife into something positive." Only 826 game factories exist nationwide, with just a handful in affected northern regions.

Lessons for the Global South

Japan's bear crisis offers sobering lessons for nations across Africa and the Global South facing similar human-wildlife conflicts. The emphasis on culling and commercialization over habitat restoration and community-based conservation reflects the same colonial mentality that has devastated ecosystems worldwide.

True environmental justice requires addressing root causes of ecological disruption, supporting traditional knowledge systems, and ensuring that communities most affected by environmental crises have decision-making power over solutions.

As chef Kiyoshi Fujimoto serves bear consommé to wealthy diners in Sapporo, the deeper questions remain: How do we rebuild our relationship with the natural world, and who profits when ecosystems collapse?