Japan extends special bear warning as sightings spike in Fukushima and Kyoto

Fukushima Prefecture has prolonged its "Special Bear Sightings Warning" through the end of August after reports of Asiatic black bears rose sharply, with 652 sightings recorded by June 28 – an increase of 362 compared with the same period last year. Five incidents have resulted in injuries to eight people.

In Kyoto, a 40‑year‑old man was mauled by a one‑metre‑long bear while working on a wildlife control project, sustaining a wound that required seven stitches. The attack marks the first human injury from a bear in the prefecture this fiscal year.

Authorities and outdoor‑gear retailers are urging the public to adopt precautionary measures, including traveling in groups, using bear bells, and carrying capsaicin‑based bear‑deterrent spray. Training sessions on proper spray use have been held in Utsunomiya, reflecting growing concern over rising bear activity in both rural and urban areas of Japan.