US Embassy in Japan issues alert for bear attacks

The US Embassy and consulates in Japan have issued a wildlife alert following a record-high number of attacks by wild bears on humans in the country.

In an NHK tally, at least 220 people had been attacked by bears in Japan as of Tuesday noon since April. The number exceeds the 219 casualties recorded in the whole of fiscal 2023.

The bear alert was posted on the US Embassy & Consulates in Japan website on Wednesday.

The alert covers the prefectures of Hokkaido and Akita and other parts of northern Japan, where many of the attacks happened.

The advisory urges Americans in Japan to avoid entering areas where bears have been sighted and walking alone there, as well as to be aware of their surroundings and report sightings to local authorities.

It refers to a bear sighting in Maruyama Park, next to the US Consulate General in Sapporo City, saying all visitors to the office should be diligent and aware of their surroundings.

Meanwhile, the British government is calling on people traveling to Japan to check information about local wildlife in advance and take food waste and other rubbish with them, among other advice.

nhk