Japan on Edge: Bear Attacks Escalate, Supermarket Invasion and New Fatalities Push Toll to Record High

Tokyo is grappling with an unprecedented surge in bear attacks, as a recent supermarket invasion in Numata City underscores an escalating crisis that has driven Japan’s annual bear-related death toll to a record high of at least seven.

Just yesterday, a bear unleashed chaos in the sushi section of a Numata City supermarket, injuring two customers, aged 69 and 76, after crossing a parking lot to gain entry. Police confirmed the incident occurred Tuesday evening, with approximately 40 shoppers present during the terrifying ordeal.

The supermarket rampage comes on the heels of a grim discovery this morning in northern Iwate prefecture, where a body bearing suspicious scratch marks, possibly from a bear, was found. This potential new fatality threatens to push the already record-high death count even higher. Two earlier fatal attacks this month had already elevated the total to the highest since official records began in 2006.

Experts point to climate change, disrupting traditional food sources, as a key factor driving bears from their natural habitats into urban areas. However, the Numata supermarket manager noted the bear appeared agitated and disoriented rather than hungry, suggesting it struggled to find an exit after entering the store. The animal eventually fled as staff worked to evacuate customers.

Recent days have seen a string of alarming encounters across Japan. On Tuesday, a farmer in his 20s was attacked by a bear in Akita prefecture, while a Spanish tourist sustained injuries from another animal near Shirakawa Village just days prior. These incidents highlight a growing national concern as wildlife increasingly encroaches on human settlements.

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