Arya News - In addition to its exceptional effectiveness at keeping bears away, the product is characterised by its use of naturally derived ingredients, which contribute to environmental protection.
TOKYO – Amid a series of bear sightings across the country, a bear repellent made with bhut jolokia — a super-hot chili pepper cultivated in Aomori Prefecture — is gaining attention.
In addition to its exceptional effectiveness at keeping bears away, the product is characterized by its use of naturally derived ingredients, which contribute to environmental protection. For these reasons, an online shop is receiving orders from all over the country.
Named “Kuma wo Boru,” which means “to chase away bears” in the local dialect, this product is manufactured by Eco Work, a company based in Goshogawara in the Prefecture.It is formulated with pyroligneous acid — a byproduct of charcoal burning — and ingredients such as bhut jolokia. When used, the pungent compound capsaicin is released into the air.
The product comes in two forms: a plastic bottle for hanging with a slit at the top, designed to release the scent from the liquid inside, and a solid form that can be carried in a pouch.
According to Iki Sangyo, a company based in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, that operates an online store, orders began to increase about two years ago. Last year, orders from businesses reached a record high. This year, with frequent bear sightings in urban areas. An official of the company said, “We receive orders from individual customers almost every day.”
In recent years, urban bears — bears venturing from the mountains into urban areas — have become a problem in Japan. “We want to help facilitate coexistence between humans and bears,” a representative of Eco Work said.