Japanese City Suspends 94 Schools Following Bear Sightings

WHO:

CNN - Utsunomiya City officials, Wildlife Management Group, local police officers, local hunting association.

NY Post - Japanese government, task force established to reduce bear attack casualties.

WHAT:

CNN - Utsunomiya City closed nearly 100 schools due to bear sightings.

CNN - The city recorded its first bear sighting on a Saturday.

CNN - A bear was spotted on junior high school grounds and captured on security cameras in a shopping district.

CNN - Police confirmed a bear's presence again on a Monday night.

CNN - Three people were killed and 20 were attacked by bears across at least nine prefectures between April and June 2.

CNN - A bear attack injured four people at a steel factory in Fukushima on June 2.

WHERE:

CNN - Utsunomiya City, Japan, located north of Tokyo.

CNN - Fukushima, Japan, approximately 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Utsunomiya.

WHEN:

CNN - The bear sightings began on a Saturday, with subsequent sightings reported on a Sunday and Monday night.

CNN - The bear attack in Fukushima occurred on June 2.

CNN - Reports indicated that bear attacks peaked in the fall of the previous year.

WHY:

CNN - The rise in bear attacks is attributed to a skyrocketing bear population, a decline in hunting, climate change affecting food sources, and fewer people living in rural areas.

CNN - The surge in bear attacks became a national emergency, prompting military involvement and international travel advisories.

HOW:

CNN - Police and local hunting association members are patrolling the city to capture the bear or bears on the loose.

CNN - Residents have been urged to lock doors and windows and avoid putting out trash at night to prevent bear encounters.

(UPDATED June 9, 2026 10:11 UTC)

In Utsunomiya City, Japan, nearly 100 schools have been closed following multiple bear sightings, including one captured on security cameras at a junior high school and another confirmed by police on a Monday night. The surge in bear attacks, which has resulted in three fatalities and numerous injuries across several prefectures, has prompted the Japanese government to establish a task force aimed at reducing casualties from these incidents. Local authorities and hunting association members are actively patrolling the area to capture the bears, while residents are being advised to secure their homes and avoid leaving trash out at night to minimize encounters.