AKITA, May 05 (News On Japan) –
A person in his 40s was injured after being attacked by a bear in a rice discipline subsequent to an elementary faculty in Yurihonjo, Akita Prefecture, on May fifth, marking the primary confirmed human harm from a bear within the prefecture in 2026, as sightings proceed throughout vacationer areas throughout the Golden Week vacation.
Police mentioned the incident occurred at round 8:15 a.m., when the person, who was inspecting his rice fields, was all of the sudden attacked by a bear measuring about one meter in size, leaving him with scratches to the suitable facet of his face and his proper arm.
The man managed to flee by automobile to a close-by store, the place he requested workers to name emergency companies.
A girl who made the emergency name mentioned, “He sat down here and asked me to call an ambulance. At first, I thought he felt unwell, but his face was bleeding, and it looked like his back and legs were also injured, with his clothing torn open.”
The assault happened in a quiet rural space with open visibility, elevating concern amongst residents that the bear could have acknowledged the presence of people earlier than approaching.
The location, instantly adjoining to an elementary faculty, heightened fears that youngsters might have been in danger had the assault occurred on an everyday faculty day.
A neighborhood resident mentioned, “It’s not that they suddenly ran into each other. It’s a flat, open area, so the bear likely knew a person was there and still approached. We need to be very careful.”
In an analogous case in Daisen, Akita Prefecture, a lady strolling by way of a residential neighborhood was attacked from behind by a bear in October 2025, highlighting a rising pattern of wildlife getting into human settlements.
Experts say bears are more and more venturing into populated areas looking for meals and should turn into bolder in the event that they be taught that people pose little risk.
Takanori Yamauchi, an affiliate professor on the Faculty of Agriculture at Iwate University, mentioned, “Wild animals are expanding into human areas. Once they come down from the mountains, they find surprisingly good food sources, and if they learn that humans don’t react aggressively, their behavior can become increasingly bold. We believe such individuals are now increasing.”
Separately, a bear was additionally noticed at round 10 a.m. on May fifth alongside the Kii Route of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage path in Kainan, Wakayama Prefecture, though no accidents have been reported.
The Kumano Kodo, a pilgrimage route with a historical past spanning greater than 1,000 years, is a serious vacationer vacation spot, a lot of which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage web site, although the sighting occurred exterior the designated space.
Authorities are urging vacationers throughout Golden Week to stay alert to bear sightings at their locations.
Source: FNN