June 25, 2026
TOKYO – Amid a series of bear sightings across the country, the major convenience store chain Family Mart Co. has installed a wolf-shaped robot designed to scare away wild animals on a trial basis at its store in the mountainous area of Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture.
There have been several bear sightings near the store this year, and the measure aims to ensure the safety of employees and customers.
The company unveiled the robot, called “Monster Wolf,” on Wednesday. It emits more than 50 types of loud sounds and a blinding LED light when it detects an animal with its infrared sensor. It is installed facing the forest behind the store. Although it can produce a sound as loud as a car horn — up to 90 decibels — it is set to approximately 45 decibels out of consideration for nearby residences. The company is testing whether the robot can achieve the desired effect while minimizing its impact on the surrounding area.
The company created guidelines for dealing with bear sightings near stores last year and it had deployed bear repellent spray at approximately 500 stores in regions such as Tohoku and Northern Kanto by the end of February. However, bear sightings nationwide have been more frequent this year than last. This prompted the company to introduce the Monster Wolf on a trial basis to further strengthen its countermeasures. It will evaluate its effectiveness before considering a full-scale rollout.