The U.S. embassy in Japan has warned Americans in northern Japan to be on alert amid a surge in deadly bear attacks across the country.

Why It Matters

Japan’s environment ministry has reported more than 20,000 bear sightings this fiscal year, with NHK reporting there have been at least 207 injuries as of Tuesday, citing ministry data. There have also been 13 fatal attacks—more than triple last year’s total and the highest on record since records began in 2008.

Experts have blamed a shortage of dietary staples like acorns and beechnuts, as per the Guardian. This, as in 2023—the second-deadliest year—drove the animals into residential areas and increased the risk of attacks. Another factor cited is depopulation in rural areas , which has blurred the once-clear boundary between residenti

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