Bear Sightings Begin to Increase as Hibernation Ends

Tokyo, April 3 (Jiji Press)–Local authorities in Japan are warning people to watch out for bears as they emerge from hibernation. According to the Environment Ministry, the number of bear attack victims in fiscal 2025 had reached 237 by February, the highest in 10 years. The number of deaths reached 13, mainly in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido and the Tohoku northeastern region, surpassing 10 for the first time. After waking up from hibernation, usually in late March or later, bears actively seek food and may become aggressive. On March 8, a 69-year-old male corporate worker strayed off a hiking trail and fell into a snow hole on Mount Iwagami in the northeastern prefecture of Iwate, where he encountered a bear and was slightly injured from a bite to his left calf. In response, the prefectural government on March 24 issued a bear alert, which it usually issues in April or later. “If you encounter a bear, please act calmly, such as avoiding turning your back,” a prefectural official urged. In neighboring Akita Prefecture, the number of bear sightings reached around 20 in March alone. The prefectural government issued a bear alert on Wednesday. In the Akita city of Kitaakita, a 1-meter bear was seen in rice fields on March 24. At a residential area in Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, a woman witnessed a 1.5- to 2-meter bear while walking outside on March 26. This bear made its way across city roads and entered a forest. In response, Hokkaido police increased patrols. In the city of Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, south of Akita, a 1-meter bear entered a private warehouse. The city killed the bear in an emergency culling, in which municipalities authorize hunters to fire their rifles in urban areas to kill animals that pose a risk to people. Following a series of bear sightings, the Yamagata city government set up a division for wildlife damage prevention on Wednesday. More bears are expected to appear in mountains, forests and urban areas. Last November, the Ground Self-Defense Force was dispatched to help the Akita city of Kazuno deal with bears. An official of the city urged people to avoid places where bears have been seen. “If you have to go to such places, please move around in a group while ringing bear bells,” the official said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]