In Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture, a 25-year-old man has been taken into custody after confessing to animal cruelty involving rabbits on Okunoshima Island, famously known as "rabbit island". This individual was apprehended following reports from a witness who observed him kicking several rabbits, which led to the discovery of a deceased rabbit nearby. He is now facing charges for breaching the Welfare and Management of Animals Law.

As per the police, the suspect has admitted to having engaged in similar behavior multiple times since October of the previous year. Expressing a contradictory view, he noted his curiosity in observing how rabbits react to harassment despite acknowledging their cuteness. Authorities report that there has been a tragic increase in rabbit mortality, with 77 carcasses found between late November and mid-January.

Okunoshima Island, located in the Seto Inland Sea, has a historical backdrop as a site for the production of poison gas during World War II. In recent times, however, it's become popular among tourists, primarily for its unique rabbit population, which is currently estimated at around 500. The island previously saw rabbit numbers soar to about 1,000, benefitting from increased visitor attention and feeding, though the count has diminished partly due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Environment Ministry showed concern about the alarming trend concerning rabbit deaths, noting that many of the recovered carcasses exhibited signs of trauma, such as bone fractures and bleeding. Local officials have pointed out that the rapid accumulation of carcasses in a short time frame raises suspicions. With the consultation of the Environment Ministry, Takehara police have begun reviewing footage from security cameras located on the island.

Experts have suggested that the domesticated European rabbits on Okunoshima may be at risk not only from human interaction but also from infectious diseases. Fumio Yamada, a zoology professor and rabbit ecology specialist, emphasized the importance of establishing countermeasures due to the animals' friendly disposition towards human visitors, which can lead to potential abuse. As tourism attracted approximately 200,000 visitors in 2023, he warned that regulating feeding and human interactions might become necessary to protect the rabbit population.