Japan reports multiple vehicle collisions involving bears

Multiple vehicle collisions involving bears have been reported in Japan. In Akita Prefecture, a woman in her 30s driving a light vehicle collided with a bear approximately one meter in length on the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway in Yurihonjo City. The driver was uninjured, though the vehicle's bumper was damaged.

In Hokkaido, a 60-year-old man was involved in a collision with a 1.5-meter-long bear on a prefectural road in Kitami City. The bear reportedly emerged suddenly from a forest. While the driver was not injured, the incident led to the emergency closure of a nearby amusement park for safety reasons, with reopening expected on August 19.