A Japanese city has taken unprecedented action by closing all of its primary and secondary schools following the first-ever sighting of a black bear in a residential area. The closure affects 94 schools in Utsunomiya, a city of approximately half a million people located 62 miles north of Tokyo. Authorities are now actively searching for the bear, which was initially spotted near a park on Saturday, June 6.
Bear Sightings and Public Safety
Security camera footage captured the bear sprinting past two young men in the city center on Sunday, June 7. The bear was also observed in residential areas during daylight hours, with further sightings near an industrial district on Monday, June 8. Emergency services have issued warnings urging residents to keep doors and windows locked and to avoid approaching the bear if seen.
Recent Bear Attacks in Fukushima
These events follow a series of bear attacks in Fukushima last week, where an "extremely intelligent" bear reportedly assaulted four people after evading capture by unlocking a window. Police and fire department officials responded to an emergency call from the Fukushima Steel Works after two employees were attacked. Security footage showed the bear pursuing an employee near the entrance, knocking a man in his 20s to the ground. The bear then injured a second male employee in his 60s before attacking a third victim at a different firm. An 80-year-old woman in the area was also mauled and injured.
Government Response and Bear Population Control
The Japanese government estimates the total bear population at approximately 57,800 as of March. Authorities have implemented a strategic plan for bear population control, advocating for organized culling. The plan includes tripling bear control personnel to 2,500 over five years and doubling the number of bear traps. Additional bear encounters have been reported in Tokyo's western outskirts, including the Okutama hiking region, where park authorities have installed extra traps and issued bear warnings via social media.
The government has intensified its public awareness campaign, advising hikers and foragers to monitor alerts about bear encounters and avoid outdoor activities during dawn and dusk when bears are most active.
