https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/09/asia/japanese-city-schools-close-bear-intl-hnk
One Japanese city is taking no chances after a series of bear sightings this week, closing nearly 100 schools as officials scour the town, and as attacks take place elsewhere in the country.
Utsunomiya City, home to about half a million residents north of Tokyo, recorded its first recent bear sighting on Saturday, according to the city’s Wildlife Management Group.
A day later, a bear was spotted on the grounds of a junior high school, and one was captured on security cameras in a downtown shopping district that night.
Since then, there have been sightings at various locations across the city, the wildlife group said – with police officers reportedly confirming a bear’s presence again on Monday night.
Check out that dope ass bear!
My grandmother has told me that her home town back in the 50s had lots of bears just roaming around and everyone was fine. Theyd just give the bears space and walk the other way. Really, they dont usually* wanna eat you, just yourr food. Just dont get in the way (or god forbid, between them.and their cubs) and u’ll usually be fine. And also stop destroying their habitats, so they dont get hungry and come into town. Its really easy!
* polar bears excepted
Its not easy where I’m from. Bears got more numerous because of stricter hunting quotas and now they are coming much closer to villages. Result of that are hospitalizations because of bear attacks. Even if you are close to your home they go there. They look cudly but really aren’t.