Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. will offer local governments an insurance policy covering property damage caused by stray bullets fired during wild bear extermination efforts.
The policy responds to amendments to the Wildlife Protection, Control, and Hunting Management Act, which will take effect in September and permit wider use of hunting rifles in urban areas to cull dangerous wild animals. This legal change aims to address a rise in bear attacks in residential zones by enabling quicker, authorised rifle use to protect human safety.
Coverage for property damage caused by bullets is capped at ¥30m (approximately US$202,000) and includes repair expenses and business losses such as lost rental income. The policy excludes personal injury claims, which remain covered under the State Redress Act.
Annual premiums will start at around ¥100,000 and will be adjusted for each local authority based on bear sighting data from the previous financial year.
Previously, the use of hunting rifles against bears in urban settings was generally limited, often requiring police authorisation. However, the Ministry of the Environment has recently classified bears and wild boars as “dangerous wild animals.”
