Amid Frequent Bear Attacks in Japan, Hokkaido Company Producing Scare-Bear Robot Wolves Receives Flood of Orders
As bear-related casualties surge in Japan, a scarecrow-like robot wolf called 'Monster Wolf,' developed by Ohta Seiki in Hokkaido, is gaining attention. The device, which repels bears with a realistic appearance and intimidating sounds, is seeing a flood of orders from farmers and others.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 18:44
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Central News Agency, Tokyo, 13th (Comprehensive Foreign Report) - After the number of deaths from bear attacks in Japan hit a record high last year, a company in Hokkaido that produces fierce-looking robot wolves has received a large number of orders. The product, named 'Monster Wolf,' functions like a scarecrow, featuring flashing red eyes and emitting howls and roars to scare away wild animals.
AFP reports that Ohta Seiki, a company based in Hokkaido, stated that it has already received about 50 orders this year, surpassing the total number of orders for a typical full year.
President Yuji Ohta told AFP, "We make them all by hand, and we really can't keep up now. We are asking customers to wait for 2 to 3 months."
Ohta said, "Awareness regarding bear-related safety and measures to prevent wildlife damage (to crops) have both increased. More and more people also recognize that our product is effective against bears."
Most orders come from farmers, golf course operators, and people who work outdoors in rural areas, such as in the construction industry.
Between 2025 and 2026, 13 people died from bear attacks nationwide in Japan, more than double the previous record. According to official data, the number of reported bear sightings nationwide exceeded 50,000, also more than double the record set two years ago.
Ohta Seiki's 'Monster Wolf' has a structure of assembled pipes, covered with artificial fur and equipped with speakers, and a menacing face with an open mouth. A set starts at around $4,000 and comes with a battery, solar panel, sensors, speakers, and other devices.
The 'Monster Wolf' can play over 50 pre-recorded sounds, including human voices and electronic noises, which can travel up to one kilometer. The robot wolf swings its head from side to side, its red LED eyes flash, and its tail is equipped with a blue LED light.
When Ohta launched this product in 2016, the purpose was to prevent damage to crops from deer, wild boars, and bears, and it was initially laughed at as just a gimmick.
Now the company is working on an upgrade to allow the robot wolf to be mounted on wheels to chase animals or patrol along specific routes. Ohta also plans to develop a handheld version for hikers, anglers, and schoolchildren, and is exploring the possibility of incorporating AI cameras in future models.
He said, "We hope to contribute to dealing with bear damage through our production." (Compiled by: Yang Chao-yen) 1150513
AFP reports that Ohta Seiki, a company based in Hokkaido, stated that it has already received about 50 orders this year, surpassing the total number of orders for a typical full year.
President Yuji Ohta told AFP, "We make them all by hand, and we really can't keep up now. We are asking customers to wait for 2 to 3 months."
Ohta said, "Awareness regarding bear-related safety and measures to prevent wildlife damage (to crops) have both increased. More and more people also recognize that our product is effective against bears."
Most orders come from farmers, golf course operators, and people who work outdoors in rural areas, such as in the construction industry.
Between 2025 and 2026, 13 people died from bear attacks nationwide in Japan, more than double the previous record. According to official data, the number of reported bear sightings nationwide exceeded 50,000, also more than double the record set two years ago.
Ohta Seiki's 'Monster Wolf' has a structure of assembled pipes, covered with artificial fur and equipped with speakers, and a menacing face with an open mouth. A set starts at around $4,000 and comes with a battery, solar panel, sensors, speakers, and other devices.
The 'Monster Wolf' can play over 50 pre-recorded sounds, including human voices and electronic noises, which can travel up to one kilometer. The robot wolf swings its head from side to side, its red LED eyes flash, and its tail is equipped with a blue LED light.
When Ohta launched this product in 2016, the purpose was to prevent damage to crops from deer, wild boars, and bears, and it was initially laughed at as just a gimmick.
Now the company is working on an upgrade to allow the robot wolf to be mounted on wheels to chase animals or patrol along specific routes. Ohta also plans to develop a handheld version for hikers, anglers, and schoolchildren, and is exploring the possibility of incorporating AI cameras in future models.
He said, "We hope to contribute to dealing with bear damage through our production." (Compiled by: Yang Chao-yen) 1150513