Japanese city captures black bear after multi-day search and lockdown

A black bear that triggered a lockdown and a multi-day search in the Japanese city of Utsunomiya has been captured. The adult bear, estimated to weigh 100 kg, was tranquilized and taken away by authorities on Tuesday.

The city, located in Tochigi Prefecture about 100 km north of Tokyo, had closed all 94 municipal primary and middle schools for two consecutive days. Residents were urged to stay indoors after the bear was first sighted on Saturday evening. The closures were extended on Wednesday due to a report of a possible second bear in the area.

Police and search teams cordoned off a residential area where the bear reappeared early Tuesday afternoon. Live footage from helicopters showed officers with sticks and shields as they worked to contain the animal. The city has not yet decided the bear's fate.

Bear sightings and attacks have increased in Japan, prompting the government to establish a task force. In fiscal 2025, the country recorded a record 238 casualties from bear incidents, including 13 deaths. Nearby Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture also suspended classes at three schools due to a bear sighting.

Experts attribute the rise in bear activity near human settlements to climate change impacting natural food sources and the depopulation of rural areas. Asiatic black bears, a vulnerable species, are estimated to have tripled in number in Japan since 2012.