TOKYO, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) — The variety of folks attacked by bears in Japan between April and October totaled 180, already a file excessive on a fiscal yr foundation, based on the atmosphere ministry.
This is the worst quantity ever because the statistics began in fiscal 2006, the ministry mentioned in a preliminary report Wednesday. The earlier file excessive was 158 logged in fiscal 2020.
Five folks have been killed in assaults by bears to this point in fiscal 2023, which began in April, it added.
The month-to-month variety of folks attacked by bears stood at 15 in August, hovering to 38 in September and 71 in October.
The Tohoku area in northeastern Japan accounts for round 70 p.c of the full.
Experts mentioned that bears have appeared close to human settlements extra regularly this yr partly as a result of they can not get sufficient meals within the mountains because of poor harvest of nuts.
The ministry is looking for optimum vigilance till the bears go into hibernation in December.