The Environment Ministry is looking to increase its funding to local governments to enable them to respond better to bear attacks, which are becoming increasingly common throughout the nation. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/22/japan/budget-increase-eyed-bear-shooting/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #bears #animals #environmentministry #budgets

Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima Prefecture has been newly designated as an internationally important wetland under the Ramsar Convention, marking the 54th wetland in the country to be registered. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/16/japan/lake-inawashiro-ramsar-convention/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #fukushima #environment #environmentministry #wetlands

The Environment Ministry has announced guidelines that list conditions and procedures for allowing the shooting of bears and other wild animals in urban areas. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/08/japan/society/bear-shooting-guidelines/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #environmentministry #animals #bears