Authorities capture black bear in Utsunomiya, Japan

Authorities in Utsunomiya, located 100 kilometers north of Tokyo, have successfully captured a black bear that triggered widespread alarm. In response to the initial sighting of the animal near a park on Saturday, the municipal government closed all 94 elementary and junior high schools in the city for multiple days. While officials confirmed the capture of one bear, reports indicate that schools may remain closed due to concerns regarding a possible second animal roaming the area. According to the Ministry of the Environment, Japan recorded a record 238 bear-related casualties, including 13 fatalities, in the 2025 fiscal year. The increase in urban bear encounters is attributed to climate-driven food shortages, such as reduced acorn harvests, and the encroachment of wildlife into depopulated agricultural zones. The Japanese government has established a specialized task force to manage the rising frequency of these incidents nationwide.