Bears have killed a record seven people in Japan this year, marking the highest number since official records began in 2006.
An environment ministry official confirmed this alarming statistic on Thursday, attributing the rise to increasing bear sightings in residential areas. “This is the largest toll since 2006 when statistics started,” the official stated, surpassing the five victims recorded in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity following confirmation that a man found dead last week in Iwate was killed by a bear.
Including these fatal cases, at least 108 people have been injured since the fiscal year started in April. This represents a significant increase from 85 injury incidents, including three fatal cases, recorded in the previous fiscal year. However, it is still lower than the 219 incidents reported in 2023/24.
https://www.sott.net/article/502420-Bears-kill-7-people-and-injure-108-in-Japan-since-April-this-year-as-attacks-hit-record-high
