Haruo Ikegami of Sunagawa City, Hokkaido, had his rifle confiscated because culling brown bears was deemed dangerous. Mr. Ikegami says he will not shoot brown bears even if his rifle is returned, and this reveals the challenges of brown bear culling.
■First Shoot in 7 Years Distrust of the Judiciary Haruo Ikegami, 77, head of the Sunagawa branch of the Hokkaido Hunting Association, was at a rifle range on the 11th. He was there for practical training to renew his hunting rifle license, checking the feel of the rifle for the first time in seven years. Distrust of the judiciary still lingers. Haruo Ikegami (77) “If I can’t shoot here, then no one can shoot.” Mr. Ikegami says he will not shoot brown bears even if his rifle is returned. There was a problem that remained even after the trial.
■The Hunting Rifle Suddenly Taken Away The Supreme Court’s Decision Haruo Ikegami celebrated his 77th birthday on March 7th. Haruo Ikegami (77) “I’m so happy” Although he smiled at the party, his 70s were filled with unwelcome days. In 2018, Mr. Ikegami’s hunting license was revoked by the Hokkaido Public Safety Commission for the dangerous use of his gun while culling a bear cub in Sunagawa City. Dissatisfied with the revocation, Mr. Ikegami filed a lawsuit. In 2021, he won the first instance judgment, but in 2024, he lost the second instance judgment on appeal. The case was then handed over to the Supreme Court. Haruo Ikegami (77) “Hunters all over the country, and hunting associations, are concerned about this outcome. This is the final stage of the judicial process. I hope the judgment will be one that allows hunting associations to operate with peace of mind.” The result was a reversal victory for Mr. Ikegami. The reason given was that the court emphasized the public interest of hunters, who carry out pest control at the request of local governments and the police.
■Distrust of the Sapporo High Court “What they’re saying is nonsense” Even after the judgment was finalized, Mr. Ikegami’s feelings were not completely at ease. One of the reasons is the Sapporo High Court’s ruling in the second trial. The court pointed out that a bullet that hit the brown bear could ricochet and hit a building above the backstop, which is behind the bear and would stop the bullet. Haruo Ikegami (77) said, “What the High Court is saying is nonsense. It’s impossible for a bullet fired to go through the body of a brown bear and go this way and that. If you think about it normally, it’s 100% impossible.” The Supreme Court ruling also did not deny the danger of firing the gun. Haruo Ikegami (77) said, “You can’t see the building from here. This is a fortified area. Chairman Horie of the Hokkaido Hunting Association also came here. If it’s not allowed here, then it’s not allowed anywhere.”
■Rifle returned, but…no direct apology from the Hokkaido Public Safety Commission About two weeks after the Supreme Court ruling, Ikegami’s rifle was returned, but it was a representative from the Hokkaido Prefectural Police who came. There was no direct explanation or apology from the Hokkaido Public Safety Commission. Hokkaido Prefectural Police Headquarters Security Division Chief Kazushi Tokuda: “I was instructed to convey an apology to Mr. Ikegami for the inconvenience and burden caused, so I have come. I am truly sorry.” Haruo Ikegami (77): “It is only natural that the Public Safety Commission should come in person. I don’t think the Public Safety Commission is truly remorseful.”
■[Rifle] It was discovered that one rifle had been disposed of. Only one of the two rifles that were seized was returned. Moreover, it was discovered that the rifle used when the shooting occurred in 2018 had been sent to the prosecutor’s office as evidence and then disposed of. It was a rifle full of memories, entrusted to him by a deceased friend. Mr. Ikegami expressed his anger. Haruo Ikegami (77): “I never imagined that the gun would disappear midway through, and then be disposed of. It’s just too terrible. If they came to apologize, they should have said so at the time.” Although he has recovered his rifle, Mr. Ikegami has decided not to actively hunt brown bears with his hunting rifle. Haruo Ikegami (77): “In Sunagawa, we don’t shoot brown bears outside at all. What happened to me still happens.”
■ Hunter’s responsibility The Supreme Court acknowledged the danger of shooting, but also emphasized the circumstances at the time and the public interest of the hunter. Conversely, it is believed that in the future, depending on the circumstances, the possibility of hunters being held responsible cannot be ruled out. Bear sightings are expected to continue throughout Japan in 2026. Hunters like Mr. Ikegami are on the front lines of the extermination efforts. A resident living near the shooting site: “It’s reassuring. Even when police officers or government officials come, they only say, ‘Please be careful.'” Haruo Ikegami (77): “We’re just doing what’s expected.” Why did Mr. Ikegami, who carried out the extermination with good intentions, have to endure seven years of humiliation? Without an apology or investigation, the season for brown bears to awaken is upon us.
