A man was seriously injured after being attacked by a bear at a steelworks in northern Japan on Tuesday, local authorities confirmed. The incident, which was captured on security camera footage, occurred at a facility in the city of Akita, part of a region where bear encounters have become more frequent in recent years.
The victim, a worker in his 50s, was reportedly inspecting equipment when the bear entered the plant. Security footage shows the animal charging at the man, who sustained deep lacerations to his arms and legs before colleagues intervened and drove the bear away. He was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
The bear, estimated to be an adult male weighing approximately 150 kilograms, was later shot and killed by local police and hunters after it was cornered within the factory grounds. Authorities said the bear had likely wandered in from nearby forests, following a food source or seeking refuge.
The attack underscores a growing trend in Japan’s rural and suburban areas, where bear sightings and encounters have increased due to a combination of factors, including shrinking human populations, aging communities, and the expansion of bear habitats. In 2023, the country recorded 54 bear-related injuries, a near-record high.
Japanese officials have urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and take precautions such as securing garbage bins and carrying bear repellent. The incident at the steelworks, however, highlights the unique risks faced by industrial sites located near natural habitats.
Local police are investigating the circumstances of the bear’s entry into the facility. The steelworks operator has not yet commented on whether additional security measures will be implemented.
