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Japan is facing a dual challenge as both wildlife threats and digital misinformation escalate nationwide.
An increasing number of bear attacks have raised public safety concerns, while AI-generated videos depicting fabricated incidents are rapidly circulating on social media, exacerbating fear.
According to authorities and independent fact-checking organizations, at least 13 individuals have died in confirmed or suspected bear-related incidents this year, with dozens more injured.
Reports indicate that five people were attacked in three prefectures over the past weekend alone.
The situation is further complicated by a surge in AI-generated videos showing aggressive bear behavior on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube.
Some clips depict bears destroying infrastructure or attacking pets—events that have not occurred in reality.
Experts have noted that approximately 60% of these fabricated videos carry the “Sora” watermark, indicating they were produced using the U.S.-based OpenAI generative video model.
“Alongside increasing reports of actual bear incidents, we are seeing a significant rise in fabricated videos,” said Daisuke Furuta, Chief Editor of the Japan Fact-Check Center. Experts warn that such videos, when presented alongside authentic footage, can mislead the public and heighten anxiety.
In response to safety concerns, Japan Post Co. has announced the potential suspension of postal services in areas with frequent bear sightings, and deliveries have already been halted in parts of Akita Prefecture.
Likewise, telecommunications firm NTT East is reviewing safety measures for employees operating in mountainous regions.
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