Japan Installs Bear Cameras After Rise in Attacks

Japan has begun installing hundreds of cameras in its northern mountains to monitor bear populations following a rise in fatal attacks, according to the Environment Ministry.

At least five people have been killed in bear attacks since April 1, all in the northern Tohoku region, while 13 deaths were recorded nationwide last year.

Experts attribute the increase in encounters to a growing bear population driven by abundant food supplies, alongside depopulation in rural areas that has reduced human activity near forests and mountains.

Residents in Tohoku have faced growing anxiety amid frequent reports of bears being spotted in shopping centers, parks and schools.

Authorities plan to deploy more than 800 wildlife cameras, initially focusing on six major bear populations in Tohoku before expanding the survey nationwide over the next four years.

The cameras will use jars containing a mixture of honey and wine to attract bears, allowing researchers to identify animals through the distinctive white markings on their chests.

In a separate incident, police arrested a man in Nagoya after he accidentally discharged bear spray inside a post office, sending five people to hospital for treatment.