Banji Banzaburō, Japan

OutsideApr 7

Japan Is Fighting a War Against Bears. The Bears Are Winning.

We traveled to the front lines of Japan’s battle against the moon bear, which experts say is responsible for hundreds of attacks on humans and more than a dozen deaths.

legendary first matagi hunter

12 things in this story

Ōu MountainsSightmountain range bordering Kazuno
KazunoNeighborhoodfarming community in Akita prefecture
HonshuNeighborhoodIt lies between the Pacific Ocean (east) and the Sea of Japan (west).
HigashinaruseNeighborhoodAs of 28 February 2023, the village had an estimated population of 2,363 in 944 households, and a population density of…
Picchio Wildlife Research CenterPlaceconservation organization in Karuizawa
Miyagi PrefectureNeighborhoodlocation of mushroom picker mauling
Iwate PrefectureNeighborhoodlocation of elderly woman's death
Bamboo-shoot killingsPlaceseries of bear attacks in Kazuno, May 2016
Maki AmboPlaceKazuno city council member, hosted dinner party
MetokiTrain stationprofessional bear hunter
Banji BanzaburōPlacelegendary first matagi hunter
AkitaNeighborhood

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Banji Banzaburō

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Japan Is Fighting a War Against Bears. The Bears Are Winning.