Popular bear-defense tool born from '20 seconds of terror' in northern Japan forest
TOKYO -- A black shape came charging toward him at tremendous speed. There was no time to escape. Video footage recorded in a mountain forest in north
In a forest in northern Japan's Iwate Prefecture in 2023, a 60-year-old man named Seishi Sato was attacked by a bear while collecting mushrooms. The incident was recorded on a helmet-mounted camera and later shared on YouTube, where it garnered over 4 million views. The attack lasted roughly 20 seconds, during which Sato managed to fend off the bear using a simple wooden stick he carried.
Despite the bear's sharp claws leaving him with raw wounds on his arms and legs, Sato survived the encounter. This experience inspired Sato to create a specialized protective pole, which he designed to be used as a walking stick while also serving as a means to fend off bears during an attack. The pole, made of aluminum alloy and available in lengths ranging from 70 to 115 centimeters, has gained popularity since its launch in 2025.
It has been ordered by police departments, local governments, surveying companies, and individuals, with around 2,000 units sold to date. The increase in bear attacks near populated areas, coupled with rising bear sightings, has led to a surge in demand for the protective pole. Sato emphasizes the importance of avoiding bear encounters in the first place, recommending precautions such as staying away from areas with bear sightings, protecting one's face and head with a helmet, and carrying noise-making devices while in the forest.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
