Tokyo International News Agency

In the early hours of the 28th, a 69-year-old man was attacked by a bear at a public toilet located in front of the JR Numata Station east exit in Numata City, Gunma Prefecture, sustaining minor injuries to his right leg. According to Numata City officials and others, around 1:20 AM, the man, a security guard on night duty, encountered a bear peeking into the toilet from the entrance as he was about to exit. Although attacked by the bear, the man resisted by shouting loudly and flailing his legs. The bear reportedly left the scene immediately. The man sustained scratches to his right leg, but his life is not in danger. The appearance of a bear in an urban area, especially in front of a train station, has caused widespread surprise and anxiety among local residents and relevant parties. Numerous comments such as 'I can't believe I'd encounter a bear right in front of the station' and 'Where did it come from and where did it go?' can be seen on social media. Al...

The chairman of the Hokkaido Hunters Association has sparked a major debate with his candid plea regarding the increasing sightings of brown bears and the associated culling activities: "I want the hunters association removed from bear culling. I don't want to lose a single member." The chairman expressed strong concern that under the current system, members' lives are at risk, and many have been injured. This heartfelt appeal is backed by data showing that out of 177 people killed or injured by bears between 1962 and the end of March 2024, the largest number, 66, were instances where individuals were attacked while hunting or culling. The Hunters Association is urgently calling for the establishment of a new, government-led system where the police, Self-Defense Forces, and local municipalities take charge of bear culling. While they are willing to provide full cooperation until a new system is in place, it appears they desire to be relieved of dangerous tasks that go...