Asiatic black bears emerging from hibernation in Japan are increasingly coming into contact with humans, with sightings already exceeding the pace recorded in 2025, a record year for attacks, The Guardian reported.
In the country’s northeast, where sightings of the animals in urban areas have been reported most often, authorities urge people to stay cautious outdoors. One possible fatal incident was reported earlier this year after a woman’s body was found in Iwate prefecture. In another incident, a bear attacked a police officer.
In Aomori Prefecture, officials issued a special warning after five bears were spotted in the past 10 days. Similar alerts have been announced in Iwate and Fukushima.
The rise in sightings has heightened concerns among residents in northeastern Japan and Hokkaido. Between April last year and this year, Japan recorded 238 bear attacks, including 13 deaths, with most incidents occurring in the Tohoku region.
Experts suggest that last year’s poor beechnut harvest, a key food source for bears, forced animals into populated areas. While improved crops are expected this year, potentially reducing such encounters, caution remains.
