TOCHIGI - Bear sightings are increasing across Japan as the animals become more active during their summer breeding season, with encounters reported near major tourist destinations, campsites and fishing areas, including an attack that left a man injured in Gunma Prefecture.
A bear was filmed running along a mountain road near the Irohazaka winding road in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, a popular sightseeing area.
The person who recorded the animal said he encountered it on the morning of August 11 while returning from a motorcycle tour. "It was fast. Faster than I expected," he said. "If I had hit it, it would have been serious. I think I could have been badly injured."
Bears have also been encountered by people while sightseeing.
A bear was spotted in Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture, on August 13.
In Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, another bear suddenly ran into the road in front of a person returning home from work. According to the witness, the animal was about 1 meter long.
The increase in sightings is also affecting summer outdoor activities.
Footage taken on August 8 along a hiking trail at the Aomori Prefectural Nature Interaction Center showed a bear passing a monitoring camera. Another bear had been recorded by the same camera five days earlier.
A facility official said the camera was installed about three years ago and that this was the first time bears had been recorded twice within such a short period.
In response, the facility announced that its campground would suspend nighttime access for the time being.
Meanwhile, a bear attack was reported in Midori, Gunma Prefecture, on August 13.
A 51-year-old man who had gone fishing was attacked by a bear and suffered injuries to his head and left hand.
A man who reported the incident said the victim told him, "I ran into a bear," and was bleeding from the back of his head and had blood on his hand.
The injured man is not believed to be in life-threatening condition.
Source: FNN
