Deadly bear attacks in Japan turn stocks of spray, rifle firms into cash cow
Meme traders boost Tiemco and Miroku shares as animal sightings surge amid climate change and depopulation
At least 12 people have been killed by bears so far in the year starting April, exceeding the previous high of six in 2023, according to government data. Most of the victims have been elderly people in the country’s sparsely populated Tohoku region.
A team of 15 soldiers was deployed on Wednesday to help move a trap in Kazuno city in the hard-hit Akita region, which has suffered at least three deaths.
Akita Governor Kenta Suzuki, who has repeatedly warned that his region does not have the capacity to fight the animals, thanked the troops for their help.
The attacks have fuelled demand for shares of bear spray seller Tiemco and Miroku, which makes hunting rifles. The two firms have jumped 95 per cent and 27 per cent this year, respectively, outstripping the 19 per cent gain in the benchmark Topix index.
Trading volume in both companies has also surged. This comes despite Tiemco posting a nine-month loss and cutting its forecast due to lower demand from its mainstay clothing business.