Japan has culled more than 9,000 bears in 2023-2024, and over 4,200 between April to September 2025. - Reuters
KITA-AKITA, Japan: The sense of fear is palpable in parts of northern Japan, where some locals have fastened bells to their bags hoping the noise will keep bears away, while signs warn people to be on guard.
The animals have killed a record 13 people across the country since April, with a steady flow of reports of bears entering homes, roaming near schools and rampaging in supermarkets.
