1. Prefectural governors from eight northern Japanese regions have made an emergency appeal to the central government, requesting urgent action due to a record number of bear attacks in their areas this year.

2. The governors are asking for changes in policy that would allow licensed private bear hunters to be recognized as public servants and compensated if injured, more flexibility in using government grants to manage bear damage, and the ability for local authorities to cut down unattended fruit trees in abandoned orchards/houses.

3. Recognizing the ecological changes that have caused bears to appear in urban areas, the governors believe the national government's response is essential to address this growing threat effectively.