Japan is making significant strides towards cohabitating harmoniously with its burgeoning bear population. This comes in the form of educational programs aimed at understanding bear behavior, thereby reducing potential human-bear conflict. The proactive step is in response to recent, rare upticks in bear encounters, and it demonstrates Japan's commitment to ensuring a symbiotic balance with nature.

Wildlife encounters, specifically with bears, are relatively common in rural areas of Japan, where such creatures are viewed as integral parts of the ecosystem — values deeply rooted in the Shinto belief of respecting all life forms. However, rapid urbanization has increased confrontation rates. This initiative reflects the widely held belief that education and respect for wildlife can lead to safer coexistence.

In the US, methods to handle similar issues involve the use of deterrents and relocation of the animals, with significant emphasis on public education about dealing with wildlife encounters. In EU countries, responses vary but tend towards conservation measures involving protected areas, rewilding efforts, and ecological education.