Now, bears have really been out of the headlines in Japan these days. Authorities say a record number had been captured amid a surge in sightings across urban areas.

近来，日本的熊袭击人事件没有再频频登上新闻头条。 有关部门表示，随着城市区域的黑熊目击事件激增，已捕获的熊数量创下历史新高。

The environment ministry says more than 9,800 bears were captured across 31 prefectures in the seven months through October. That's already a record for a fiscal year, which start every April in Japan.

日本环境省称，在截至10月的7个月里，日本31个都道府县累计捕获逾9800头熊。 日本的财年每年4月启算，这一数字已然刷新了单财年的捕熊纪录。

But at the same time, the number of hunters capable of capturing the animals has declined. The ministry says the number of people with a license for rifles and shotguns dropped by more than 70%. The central government wants municipalities to hire official hunters and is offering support for labor costs.

但与此同时，具备捕熊能力的猎人数量却在减少。 环境省指出，持有步枪与霰弹枪狩猎执照的人数降幅已超70%。 日本中央政府要求各地市政当局聘用专职猎捕人员，并为相关人工成本提供补贴。

The government plans to capture more bears when they come out of hibernation in the spring. It also plans to implement zoning-based controls to separate bear habitats from areas where people live.

日本政府计划在明年春季熊结束冬眠、外出活动时，加大捕熊力度。 同时还将推行分区管控措施，把熊的栖息地与人类居住区进行隔离划分。