Bear sightings force school closures in Japanese city

Utsunomiya city, located north of Tokyo, has closed all 94 of its primary and secondary schools on Monday following multiple bear sightings within the city limits. The decision came after more than a dozen sightings were reported since Saturday, prompting an urgent response from authorities and hunters.

Municipal officials have deployed vehicles to areas where bears were spotted, issuing alerts to residents urging them to stay indoors or inside their vehicles. Dozens of hunters, police officers, and officials are currently engaged in the search for the animals.

This incident in Utsunomiya is part of a broader trend in Japan, which has experienced a significant increase in bear sightings and attacks in recent years, particularly in urban areas. Last year marked a record high with 13 people killed in bear-related incidents across the country.

The number of sightings has also surged this year, with bears emerging from hibernation hungry. Official figures indicate that between April of last year and March of this year, bear sightings nationwide exceeded 50,000, more than double the previous record. The heightened presence of bears in populated areas poses a growing concern for public safety.