Bear Attacks Continue as Peak Season Looms
Bear sightings and attacks have been reported across Japan throughout the summer, with animals damaging sheds, attacking livestock and injuring people, while experts warn that autumn is the most dangerous season as bears expand their range in search of food. (News On Japan)
As the autumn season approaches in Japan, bear sightings and attacks are becoming more common, with experts warning of heightened danger. In Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture, bears have been observed frequently, including near a major highway, prompting a police search that ended with the sighting of the animal again. In the same region, a bear had already attacked a goat in a residential area, causing injuries. The threat escalated on August 19 when a bear entered a home, attacking a goat, and breaking into its enclosure.
Such incidents are not isolated. In Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, 23 ducks were found dead or missing, along with a bear's tracks, while chickens were also attacked in the same area earlier. In Aomori Prefecture, a foreign tourist was bitten by a bear while visiting an observation point. In Miyagi Prefecture, a man in his 60s working at a gardening supply store was suddenly attacked by a bear, suffering head and arm injuries. Another bear was found inside a trap in Sendai and subsequently killed.
Young bears have also been spotted, particularly in Akita and Fukushima prefectures, where video footage captured a young bear climbing a steep slope near a road, raising concerns about potential encounters with people. In Fukushima, young bears were repeatedly captured on security cameras wandering through residential areas near schools and hospitals, causing local parents to drive their children to school due to safety concerns.
Experts attribute the increased bear activity to the scarcity of food in mountainous areas, forcing bears to roam wider to find sustenance. This behavior often leads them to human-populated areas, resulting in attacks and injuries. Last year, 161 individuals suffered bear-related harm between September and November, accounting for a significant portion of all bear-related human casualties.
The September holiday period, with more people visiting mountain areas and outdoor destinations, could further increase the risk of encounters and attacks.
Authorities advise visitors to avoid leaving garbage or strongly scented food unattended and to refrain from leaving food inside vehicles. They also warn against the circulation of fake videos involving bears, such as one showing a bear eating discarded bread, which was deemed to be artificially generated.
Written by urgent.news from News On Japan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
