Iwate bear surge forces event cancellations and home invasions

A wave of brown bear activity has swept Iwate Prefecture in Japan, with the prefectural police reporting around 50 sightings in just one week. Bears have entered public facilities, including a school cafeteria in Morioka where a bear ran across the premises before a police car arrived, and a juvenile bear broke into a food service building. Residential incursions have also risen; in Shizukuishi town, a bear forced its way through an unlocked back door, eating sugar, confectionery and even cat food, while another bear entered a home in the early hours, prompting loud warnings from the occupants. The spate has led to the cancellation of summer events such as the “Himebota Firefly Viewing” at Mt. Orizume and Yamagata City’s “Citizen Mountain‑Climbing” trek, both postponed for the first time due to safety concerns. Local authorities have installed multiple traps and are urging residents to secure entrances as the bears continue to roam the area.