Key Facts
• As of August 18, 2025, Aomori recorded 1,162 bear sightings, surpassing 2023’s 1,133.
• Sightings have steadily increased since 2020: 433 (2020), 436 (2021), 295 (2022), 1,133 (2023).
• Only one human injury reported in 2025: a woman attacked in a Hirosaki apple orchard in July.
• Bear sightings in residential areas, schoolyards, and farms raise concerns of potential human harm.
• 2024 saw a bumper crop of beech nuts, improving bear nutrition and activity levels.
• Poor beech nut harvest predicted for fall 2025, increasing risks of bears entering human areas.
• Expert warns bears accustomed to human food may repeatedly return to the same locations.
• On August 18, sightings were reported in five municipalities across Aomori.
• Authorities urge residents to monitor bear updates online and avoid leaving crops outdoors.
Summary
Aomori Prefecture has recorded 1,162 bear sightings as of August 18, 2025, surpassing the previous record of 1,133 in 2023. The increase is attributed to heightened public awareness and a bumper crop of beech nuts in 2024, which improved bear nutrition and activity. However, a poor beech nut harvest predicted for fall 2025 raises concerns about bears venturing into human areas in search of food. While only one human injury has been reported this year, sightings in residential zones and farms highlight the potential for further incidents. Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant, monitor updates, and secure harvested crops to prevent attracting bears.
