Bear Attack Injures Four People in Fukushima, Japan

A black bear entered a residential area of the Sasakino district in Fukushima prefecture on Tuesday, injuring four people. Victims included a man in his 20s, two male employees in their 60s and an 80‑year‑old woman living nearby. The three men suffered minor injuries, while the woman sustained moderate, non‑life‑threatening injuries. Police and fire crews responded after an emergency call from the Fukushima Steel Works, and the bear remained at large inside a second company’s compound, surrounded by officers with long sticks.

Two nearby schools were closed, with Noda Elementary shifting to online classes and warning residents to avoid unnecessary outings. The incident comes as Japan records a surge in bear attacks; the Environment Ministry reported 13 deaths from more than 230 attacks in 2025, the highest annual toll on record. The government estimates the national bear population at roughly 57,800 and has approved a roadmap to triple municipal bear‑control staff to 2,500 and double the number of traps within five years. Public awareness campaigns now urge hikers and mushroom pickers to check bear‑sighting alerts and avoid early‑morning or evening outings.

The attack revives fears from the previous year, when the army was deployed to Akita prefecture after over 60 people were attacked there, resulting in four deaths. Officials continue to promote safety guidelines, advising those who encounter a bear to stay calm, move slowly, and, as a last resort, protect the face and neck.