Bear attacks spark fear in JapanーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
Prefectures around Japan are putting residents on the alert for bears following a recent spate of attacks. Authorities say 37 people were attacked by the animals from April through June. Residents of a town in Hokkaido, northern Japan, are still on the lookout for a brown bear after a fatal attack last week. This video was taken in Hukushima town last Thursday. Two days later, a newspaper delivery man was attacked by a bear and found dead in some bushes nearby. I take my dog for a walk after the sun has come up. Otherwise, I’m afraid I may run into a bear. It seems to be constantly roaming around here. I’m scared. I just want them to catch it as soon as possible. That’s all I want. It’s now peak season for kelp processing in the town. Local authorities are calling on companies to drive employees to and from work to ensure their safety. Fukushima town is known as the birthplace of two former sumo Yokozuna grand champions. The Kokono stable where both served as masters usually holds a training camp in the town every summer with many spectators coming to watch. But it’s decided to cancel this year’s camp. The town’s mayor says officials have set box traps in six locations, including the neighborhood where the man was attacked. He says the town has also called in six licensed hunters from the surrounding region. Our top priority is to protect the lives and property of the town’s people. I want to keep them safe. Bear attacks have also been reported in other parts of Japan over the past week. On Tuesday, a 77year-old man in Hiroshima Prefecture had a close call with an Asian black bear while checking a beehive in a vacant property next to his house. The man suffered a laceration to his left thigh. The same day in Hukui Prefecture, a man in his 20s was attacked by a bear while fishing. He sustained an injury to his shoulder and also broke his leg while trying to flee. The bear scare is affecting sports events. At a golf course in Miyagi Prefecture, organizers cancelled a tour event following a bear sighting. They also decided to call off the first round competition scheduled on Thursday. Wild bears have been making their presence felt across much of the country this year. Japan’s environment ministry says there were bear attacks in 13 prefectures between April and June. An authority on bears says they are particularly active at this time of year because it’s their breeding season. Due to the hot weather, the vegetation is growing faster than in usual years, which means it is getting harder quickly. It has less flavor and is less nutritious for the bears. This is probably why they’re appearing so frequently in builtup areas. They’re most likely foraging for food. Bears tend to be active early in the morning and in the evenings. People should try to stay indoors if possible when bears might be around.
Prefectures around Japan are putting residents on the alert following a recent spate of bear attacks, including a fatal mauling in Hokkaido. #bear #japan #animals
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