Specially appointed Professor Masachika Tsuji from the Organization for Research and Community Collaboration, Okayama University of Science (OUS), conducted an on-site inspection of the Shika Sonic device.
Developed by T.M.WORKS, an automotive parts manufacturer based in Yamanashi Prefecture, and scientifically tested by Tsuji, Shika Sonic is a high-frequency sound device designed to deter wild animals such as deer and bears.
In June this year, OUS and Nanto City jointly installed one of these devices near Toga Gakusha, a combined elementary and junior high school in a mountainous region in the eastern part of the city where bear sightings have been frequent, as part of a bear-prevention initiative. Since its installation, there have been zero bear sightings in the surrounding area.
At the city's request, OUS and Nanto City jointly installed a new version of Shika Sonic on June 16, tuned to frequencies effective against bears. The unit was placed approximately 100 meters south of the school building, along a nearby road.
The device emits high-frequency sounds from four speakers mounted on top, covering a range of about 100–150 meters in radius with vertical and horizontal angles of 50 degrees. To prevent the noise from bothering students, it operates automatically from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Mayor Mikio Tanaka commented on the results:
"Before the installation, bears were sighted almost every day near the school.
Since then, not a single one has been spotted.
This is a major success, and I'm truly grateful for the improved safety of our children and the local community.
Given these promising results, we're now considering expanding the use of the device to tourist areas as the next step."
According to the city's Environmental Department, an AI-equipped camera installed in front of the school to detect bears has not been triggered once since the Shika Sonic was put in place.
On September 1, Tsuji visited the site to inspect the device's operation, including sound, its sound emission patterns, and battery performance. He remarked:
"Since only one unit has been installed, it's still too early to determine the full effectiveness.
We also need to study where the bears have gone.
But the fact that no bears have been seen for two and a half months means we've cleared the first hurdle for now."
According to Nanto City, 64 bear sightings were reported between January and August this year, though without incident.
