A new study from Japan offers crucial advice for anyone encountering a bear: lie face down and protect your head and neck to minimize serious injuries. Researchers at Akita University analyzed 70 bear attack victims from 2023 and found that those who adopted this defensive posture escaped severe harm.
Rising Bear Incidents in Japan
Japan has seen a record number of bear encounters in recent years, driven by habitat changes and increased human activity in forests. In the last financial year ending March, over 50,000 bear sightings were reported, alongside 238 attacks and 13 fatalities, according to the environment ministry. On Sunday, a Russian tourist near Tokyo suffered facial and arm injuries from a bear attack.
Study Findings: Defensive Posture Works
Researchers from Akita University surveyed 70 people injured in bear attacks in 2023. Facial, hand, and arm injuries were most common. However, seven individuals who lay face down and covered their heads and necks escaped serious injuries. The study, published in Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, noted 23 severe cases requiring general anesthesia, amputations, facial nerve palsy, or eyeball disorders.
“Among those who were affected, 7 people (10 per cent of the total) were able to take a defensive posture, and none of these 7 people was seriously injured,” researchers said.
Bear Habitats and Attack Patterns
Bears are widespread in Japan: brown bears in Hokkaido and black bears in Honshu and Shikoku. In 2023, 70 of 209 bear-related injuries occurred in Akita prefecture. Most victims were attacked during daily outdoor activities near their homes, such as on farmland or in wooded residential zones.
“Attacks were frequent even in areas close to people’s homes, such as farmland and wooded residential zones,” researchers wrote. Study co-author Yuki Ishigaki emphasized, “It is important for people to understand bear habits and learn effective ways to protect themselves from attacks.”
Limitations and Recommendations
While the defensive posture cannot guarantee complete safety, it may help minimize injuries to the head and upper body, which bears often target. Researchers urge public education on bear behavior and self-defense techniques to reduce fatalities.
