Japan has two native bear species:
- Japanese black bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicus): This subspecies of Asiatic black bear inhabits the main islands of Honshu and Shikoku, with a population that is recovery-focused in some areas and monitored for conservation concerns. They are smaller than brown bears and have distinct crescent-shaped chest markings in many individuals.
- Ussuri brown bear (Ursus arctos lasiotus), also known as the Ezo brown bear: This brown bear population is found primarily in Hokkaido and is among Japan’s largest land carnivores. They are larger and more powerful than the Asian black bears and can be encountered in northern Honshu less commonly.
Key notes:
- A third-party summary style sources consistently state these two species as the only bears living naturally in Japan, with distribution split by island (brown bears in Hokkaido; Asian black bears on Honshu and Shikoku in smaller numbers). Population estimates vary by region and source but generally place Japanese black bears in the thousands regionally and brown bears in the low thousands specific to Hokkaido.
- Bear behavior and encounters in Japan often relate to seasonal food availability (notably salmon runs) and human proximity, leading to occasional conflicts that local authorities address through public awareness and management programs. Recent reporting highlights rising concern in some years, prompting discussions about management approaches.
If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific area in Japan (e.g., Honshu vs. Hokkaido) or provide tips on how to stay safe in bear-country.
