科学｜クマ用防護服の開発進展中 / Science | Progress in the Development of Bear Protective Gear

Summary

In 2025, bear-related human injuries reached an all-time high, with the Ministry of the Environment reporting 230 victims and 13 fatalities.

In response to this situation, the development of protective clothing aimed at reducing fatal injuries and long-term disabilities from bear encounters is being accelerated. Safety measures during encounters with bears are being called for, including enhanced capture and extermination efforts, restricted access to certain areas, and the installation of electric fences.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Log: Have you heard that recently, there’s been an increase in bear attacks on humans?
Chako: Really? Is it that bad? Why is this happening?
Log: It’s mainly due to changes in the natural environment and human activities, which are causing bears to venture closer to human settlements.
Chako: So, how can we protect ourselves?
Navi: Currently, protective gear for bears is being developed with the aim of reducing fatal injuries and long-term disabilities.
Chako: What kind of protective gear are we talking about?
Log: It’s designed to withstand bear attacks. So, it should help ensure a bit more safety.

Admin’s Note

The news about the increasing damage caused by bears was quite shocking. Particularly concerning is the data from 2025, which indicates the highest level of human casualties ever, highlighting the urgent need for countermeasures. I believe that developing protective clothing is an important step in considering coexistence with bears. It was impressive to see how interested Chako was in learning about the details of the protective gear; I hope it inspires children to think about safety. I look forward to seeing future developments in this area.