Bears have killed a record seven people in Japan this year, the highest since 2006 when the survey started, an environment ministry official said Thursday.

More and more wild bears have been spotted in Japan in recent years, even in residential areas, due to factors including a declining human population and climate change.

“This is the largest toll since 2006 when statistics started,” surpassing five victims recorded in the 2023-24 fiscal year, the ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The statement followed confirmation that a man found dead last week in the northern region of Iwate was killed by a bear.

Including the fatal cases, at least 108 people have been injured since April when the fiscal year started.

This is up from 85 incidents of injury including three fat

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