Bear Found in Bushes in Central Sendai Finally Culled

Apr 19, 2026 | News On Japan

SENDAI, Apr 19, 2026 (News On Japan) - A bear that had remained in a residential area in central Sendai since early Sunday morning was euthanized last night in an emergency cull. No injuries were reported.

At around 5:20 a.m. on April 19, the bear was spotted in the city center of Sendai’s Aoba Ward district. It later stayed in bushes behind an apartment building.

City officials installed a box trap to capture the animal, but due to concerns it could escape further into the urban area, authorities authorized an emergency shooting shortly after 6:20 p.m. Contractors then fired two tranquilizer darts at the bear.

Both darts hit, and the bear was captured before being put down at around 7:30 p.m.

No one was injured.

The bear was an adult male measuring about 1.5 meters in length and weighing 125 kilograms.

Source: TBS

28 Typhoons Expected to Hit Japan in 2026

Japan could face a more active typhoon season than usual in 2026, with private weather forecaster Weathernews predicting around 28 typhoons to form during the year—above the long-term average of 25.1—and warning that approximately 14 could approach Japan, increasing the risk of weather-related disruptions across the country.

Typhoon Jangmi Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Japan

Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) swept across Japan on June 3rd, bringing record-breaking rainfall, widespread flooding, landslides, transport disruptions, and powerful winds, while prompting Tokyo's first-ever issuance of a Level 4 danger alert under the country's new weather warning system. The storm also exposed challenges surrounding evacuation behavior, as many residents chose not to leave their homes despite official warnings affecting more than 1.6 million people across the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Body Found in River Identified as Suspect in Mother-Daughter Murder Case

A body discovered in a river in Tatsuno, Hyogo Prefecture, has been identified as 42-year-old Kenji Oyama, the suspect wanted nationwide in connection with the murder of a mother and daughter last month, police announced on June 4th.

Mad Bear On The Loose Despite Hit With Tranquilizer

A bear that injured four people in Fukushima City escaped despite efforts to capture it using tranquilizer darts and box traps, prompting authorities to urge residents to remain on high alert.

Local Residents Struggle to Respond as New Disaster Warning

As Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) struck Wakayama Prefecture on June 3rd, the storm became the first major test of Japan's newly introduced disaster weather warning system, revealing both the benefits of earlier evacuation calls and the challenges local authorities faced in helping residents understand and respond to the new alerts.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Plaster Falls Off Walls of Himeji Castle Following Typhoon

A section of wall plaster and part of a roof eave were found damaged at Himeji Castle, the UNESCO World Heritage site in Hyogo Prefecture, on June 4th, with officials investigating whether strong winds from Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) were responsible.

New Typhoon Forming in South China Sea?

A newly formed tropical depression in the South China Sea could bring another round of heavy rain to western Japan as it interacts with the seasonal rain front, meteorologists have warned, only days after Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) caused widespread damage across the country.

Punch-kun Faces Security Challenges Following Monkey Business

A young Japanese macaque named Punch-kun has captured hearts around the world at a zoo near Tokyo, but the animal's growing popularity is now creating unexpected challenges, particularly after an American prankster dressed in a yellow suit entered the monkey enclosure, prompting renewed concerns over animal welfare and visitor behavior.

Transport Networks Across Eastern Japan Return to Normal

Transport services across eastern Japan were largely returning to normal on June 4th after Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) moved into the Pacific Ocean, with most railway lines resuming operations, airports functioning normally and airlines working to clear residual delays following a day of widespread disruption that saw nearly 900 flights canceled and major rail services suspended.

Ferry Service Between Ishigaki and Taiwan Resumes After 18 Years

A new ferry service linking Ishigaki Island and Taiwan has begun operations, marking the return of a regular maritime route between the two destinations for the first time in 18 years.

Bear Attacks Leave Four Injured in Fukushima, Woman Feared Killed in Akita

Bear-related incidents have occurred in quick succession in Fukushima and Akita prefectures, leaving four people injured in Fukushima while authorities in Akita are investigating a suspected fatal bear attack involving a woman in her 70s.

Yobuko Underwater Restaurant Promises Bigger Windows Ahead of Renewal

One of Kyushu's most distinctive dining destinations, the underwater restaurant Manbo in Yobuko, Saga Prefecture, has temporarily closed after 43 years in operation as construction advances on a new and modernized replacement scheduled to open this autumn.

Hokkaido Appoints First Government Hunter to Tackle Growing Bear Threat

A veteran hunter with 42 years of experience has become the first person hired by Hokkaido as a "Government Hunter," a newly created role aimed at strengthening bear control measures and improving public safety.

< 2 3 4 5 >