Against the backdrop of increasing bear attacks in Japan, police are allowed to use firearms against these animals starting Thursday, as strict gun control rules have been revised, authorities said, according to LETA citing AFP.
Since April, a record number of people have died in Japan as a result of bear attacks — 13.
Reports are received almost daily about cases where bears enter residential homes, roam near schools, or walk into supermarkets.
Most attacks have occurred in the northern prefectures of Akita and Iwate.
Local officials confirmed to AFP that changes to the rules on the use of firearms, announced last week, will come into effect on Thursday.
The embassies of the United States and other Western countries have urged their citizens not to go for walks alone in areas where bear attacks have occurred.
Last week, Japan deployed the army for operations against bears. However, the soldiers involved do not have firearms and will not be hunting bears.
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