A bear injured four people in a rampage across two factories and a residential area in Fukushima, Japan, on Tuesday (June 2), according to police and media reports. The attacks occurred in a car parts factory, a nearby electronic equipment manufacturer, and a residential area. One victim suffered severe injuries, while the others sustained minor wounds. The bear remains at large and is believed to still be inside one of the factory compounds.
Increased Bear Activity in Japan
Japan has seen a surge in bear sightings and attacks in recent years. A record 13 people were killed by bears in the country last year, and sightings nationwide topped 50,000 in the last fiscal year, more than double the previous record. Bears have been spotted in various locations, including homes, schools, supermarkets, and hot spring resorts. The U.S. State Department issued a warning to Americans in Japan to be alert for bears due to the rising incidents.
Security Measures and Public Response
Police and fire department officials responded to emergency calls and remain on high alert. Nearby schools were forced to close as a precaution. In a separate incident earlier this year, a bear rampaged through a supermarket for two days before being lured out with honey-coated food and later killed. The environment ministry reported that bear attacks killed one person and injured five others in April.