Bear attacks surge in Akita and wider Japan prompt fear; Akita is a TÅhoku prefecture (pop ~916k in 2023) facing rising wildlife risk.
Japan faces a surge in bear encounters, with urban sightings and attacks prompting authorities to accelerate population-management measures after a year of record bear-related casualties. Utsunomiya has closed schools while officials assess whether to tranquilize, trap, or relocate the animal.