06/10/2025
Tourist injured in bear attack at Japan’s Shirakawa-go
A Spanish tourist was injured after being attacked by a bear cub in the historic village of Shirakawa-go, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, on Sunday morning, October 5, 2025.
According to Japanese authorities, the 44-year-old man was walking toward a bus stop around 8:30 a.m. when the bear suddenly appeared and scratched his right arm. Despite the attack, the tourist managed to reach a nearby information center to seek help. He was brought to a hospital, treated for minor wounds, and discharged the same day.
Witnesses described the animal as about one meter long, believed to be a juvenile Asian black bear. Local officials have since closed off nearby trails and deployed patrol teams to monitor the area.
The incident follows a series of bear encounters across Japan this year. Just last week, a woman was killed and another went missing after separate bear attacks in northern Japan.
Experts say bear sightings have risen sharply due to food shortages in forests, habitat loss, and rural depopulation, forcing the animals to wander closer to human settlements.
Government data show that 85 people were attacked by bears across Japan in the year ending March 2025, with three fatalities. Authorities are reminding residents and tourists to stay alert, avoid forested paths, and travel in groups, especially during early morning or dusk.
Japan’s environment ministry continues to coordinate with local governments and wildlife experts to strengthen safety measures and minimize human-wildlife conflict.
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