Separate bear encounters in Japan leave one dead, two injured

On the evening of Oct. 7, a bear entered a supermarket in Gunma Prefecture, north of Japan’s capital, Tokyo, slightly injuring two men in their 70s and 60s, France 24 reported. According to NHK World, one person was allegedly attacked in the parking lot, and police said their lives were not in danger.

Reports state that the animal was an adult bear about 1.4 meters long. When it entered, around 30 to 40 people were inside the store, and the bear appeared distressed as it struggled to find its way out.

Officials also reported a suspected fatal bear attack in Iwate Prefecture, where a man was found dead on a mountain on Oct. 8.

According to France 24, bears have been appearing more frequently in Japan lately due to climate change and a declining human population.