Bear Attacks Four in Fukushima, Injuring Residents Amid Hibernation Rise

On Tuesday, four people were injured in bear attacks at two factories and a residential area in Fukushima, northern Japan. The prefectural police stated that “a bear-related human injury incident… occurred in Fukushima City,” with the first sighting of the bear in a car parts factory leading to an emergency call about bitten employees.

The same bear continued its rampage, injuring another person in a residential area and one at an electronic equipment manufacturer’s premises. One victim was heavily injured, while others sustained minor injuries. Last year saw 13 people killed by bears in Japan, with over 50,000 sightings nationwide, more than double the previous record.

Bear sightings have been frequent near airports, golf courses, schools, supermarkets, and hot spring resorts. In April, a bear attack on humans resulted in one fatality and five injuries. The surge in attacks has prompted orders for “Monster Wolf,” an animatronic scarecrow designed to deter wild animals. Scientists attribute the increase in attacks to growing bear populations and declining human presence in rural areas.