Should we kill killer animals? A dramatic increase in attacks by bears has struck fear into rural Japanese communities and sparked an intense debate on how to respond.
We’re going on a bear hunt says Japan
Bear basics: A bear will not usually attack people, but a sudden cry or movement can trigger its defence instinct. Glossary
Harbour - Can mean to hold a feeling or thought inside you, often a negative one, or a sheltered place on the coast where boats and ships can stay safely.
Grudge - A strong feeling of anger or resentment toward someone because of something they did in the past.
Hibernating - Sleeping through winter.
Depopulation - When the number of people living in an area decreases.
Paddies - Wet fields used for growing rice.
Dwellings - Places where people live, such as houses or apartments.
Cull - The slaughter of a group of animals, either to control population numbers or in the case of disease. A 2001 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 2001 led to the culling of millions of cows and sheep.
Patrols - Groups of people who regularly walk or drive around an area to check that it is safe.