Bear Attacks Man in Restroom Near Tokyo Train Station
GUNMA PREFECTURE, JAPAN – A 69-year-old security guard was injured after being attacked by a bear inside a public restroom near JR Numata Station in Gunma Prefecture, north-west of Tokyo, early Tuesday morning, November 28th. The man sustained minor abrasions to his right leg during the encounter.
According to police reports, the guard noticed the bear looking into the restroom as he was preparing to exit the building around 1:20 AM.He fell backwards during the attack, but managed to fend off the animal – estimated to be between 1 meter and 1.5 meters in length – by kicking it, prompting the bear to flee. He than promptly reported the incident to a nearby police box.
Train service had concluded for the day at the time of the attack.
The incident comes as Japan experiences a rise in bear sightings and encounters, attributed to food scarcity in the animals’ natural habitats. Preliminary figures from the Environment Ministry indicate 197 bear attack victims have been reported between April and October of this year, nearing the record high of 219 recorded in fiscal year 2023.
this event underscores the increasing challenges of human-wildlife coexistence in Japan, notably as bears venture closer to populated areas in search of sustenance. Authorities continue to urge caution and vigilance, especially in areas bordering forested regions.
