Tokyo International News Agency

On May 17, a male hiker was seriously injured after being attacked by a bear in Okutama, Tokyo. In response, local authorities have intensified patrols and closed several hiking trails near the Okutama Shuyu Road. This incident has cast a shadow of tension over the region just as the peak tourism season begins. According to news reports and local sources, the attack occurred on the morning of May 17. The man encountered the bear while hiking and sustained severe injuries to his face and other parts of his body. Following the incident, the town of Okutama and the village of Hinohara have cordoned off mountain trails surrounding the Okutama Shuyu Road to ensure public safety. Sightings of Asiatic black bears have been frequent in this region for some time, and while local campsites and municipalities have already implemented various countermeasures, this recent attack has led to renewed warnings for anyone entering the mountain wilderness. In addition to the safety concerns, Okutama’s ic...

At approximately 12:10 PM on the 17th, a male hiker was attacked by a bear on Mt. Mutsuishi (elevation 1,479 meters) in Okutama, Tokyo. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the victim is a Russian national in his 30s who sustained serious injuries, including deep lacerations and bleeding from his head and arms. He was emergency airlifted to a hospital by a fire department helicopter. The incident took place on the "Ishione" ridge, a popular hiking route easily accessible from Okutama Station. The man reportedly encountered the bear suddenly while climbing. The bear fled the scene immediately after the attack, and its specific characteristics, such as size, remain unknown. While the area was known as a wildlife habitat with previous reports of animal droppings, the fact that a serious attack occurred during the day on a well-traveled path has sent shockwaves through the hiking community. In response to the gravity of the situation, Okutama Town and the Okutama Visi...

On the morning of the 21st, a police officer searching for a missing person in a mountainous area of Shiwa, Iwate Prefecture, was seriously injured in a bear attack. Additionally, the severely damaged body of a woman was discovered near the site, prompting police to fast-track identification and determine the cause of death. The incident took place in a forested area near Nabezawa in Yamaya, approximately 8.6 kilometers northeast of the Shiwa Town Hall. At around 9:50 AM, Sergeant Kenichi Endo (56) of the Shiwa Police Station was suddenly attacked by what appeared to be a fully grown bear while conducting a search. Sergeant Endo sustained injuries including bites to his face and arms; he was transported to a hospital and is reportedly conscious. The bear involved in the attack was culled at the scene shortly after, around 10:00 AM. Following the attack, a search of the surrounding area led police to the discovery of an adult female's body near where the sergeant was mauled. Due to ...