Tokyo — In response to a surge in bear sightings across Japan, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co is set to introduce an unprecedented insurance product that protects tourism-related businesses from profit losses caused by bear intrusions.
The product — the first of its kind in the insurance industry — will be available starting in December and is designed for lodging facilities, golf courses, campgrounds, and other leisure businesses that may be forced to halt operations due to the appearance of bears near or within their premises.
Under the plan, the insurance will fully cover lost profits resulting from reservation cancellations when a business is required to close over safety concerns. Additionally, coverage extends to expenses for installing electric fences, purchasing bear spray, and other preventive safety measures, the company said.
Payouts will reach up to ¥10 million, provided that businesses submit proof of a bear intrusion — such as surveillance camera footage — and publicly announce the temporary closure of the facility.
The annual premium is expected to range from ¥100,000 to ¥500,000, depending on the scale and location of the business, according to company sources.
The product was developed amid a sharp rise in wildlife-related risks. According to recent figures, bear sightings in Japan surpassed 20,000 cases between April and September, heightening concerns for resident safety and the tourism sector.
Tokio Marine & Nichido has increasingly been adapting to new rural safety challenges. In September, the company also introduced an insurance policy that covers damages caused by stray bullets from emergency bear shooting operations in populated areas.
With bears encroaching more frequently on human settlements, the company says the new insurance aims to ease the financial burden on businesses and contribute to safer tourism environments across Japan.