Japan has two native bear species: the Asian black bear (also called the moon bear) found across the mainland, and the larger brown bear that inhabits the northern island of Hokkaido.
October 31, 2025
high
descriptive
Species distribution of bears in Japan.
Adult brown bears in Hokkaido can exceed 1,100 pounds and are capable of outrunning humans, while Asian black bears are smaller climbers typically reaching around 440 pounds at most, according to the International Association for Bear Research and Management.
October 31, 2025
high
biological
Relative size and behavior of Japan's bear species.