Japan’s Tourism Agency is rolling out new, easy-to-understand pictogram signs with a crucial message for visitors: keep your distance from bears! These visual warnings prohibit feeding bears, approaching them, and leaving trash behind. The goal? To protect everyone, especially foreign travelers and all ages, through simple, instantly recognizable images.
With bear encounters and injuries on the rise across Japan, these new signs couldn’t come at a better time. Available for free download, local governments and businesses are encouraged to display them prominently at tourist spots where bears might appear. The images clearly show red slashes over people attempting to feed or get close to bears, and illustrate how litter can sadly attract these wild animals.
Now, you might be thinking, “Who would actually try to feed a wild bear?” While most people are naturally cautious, the internet is full of “death by selfie” stories, where individuals take dangerous risks for the perfect photo op. Some visitors, unfamiliar with real wildlife outside of cartoons, might underestimate the danger.
There’s a debate about whether tourists feeding bears is the *main* problem. Many bear attacks occur when people venture into bear territory or when hungry bears encroach on human settlements due to dwindling natural food sources. However, the Tourism Agency views these signs as a proactive shield. With tourism booming and many natural attractions close to bear habitats, even a single negative incident involving a tourist could have significant economic repercussions.
So, next time you’re exploring Japan’s beautiful natural areas, remember the pictograms. Keep your distance, don’t feed the wildlife, and dispose of your trash properly. It’s about keeping both you and Japan’s amazing wildlife safe.
Source: https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan’s-tourism-agency-issues-bear-warning-pictogram-signs
