Key Facts
• October 24, 12:39 PM: A bear attacked a woman in her 70s in Tateyama.
• Incident occurred in the backyard of her home while pruning trees.
• The woman suffered severe facial injuries and was hospitalized in Toyama City.
• Two adult bears were sighted nearby shortly before the attack.
• This marks the third bear-related injury in Toyama Prefecture this year.
• A local resident called emergency services after finding the injured woman.
• The bear fled toward the Joganji River embankment and remains at large.
• Authorities, including 40 personnel, conducted searches and issued warnings.
• Nearby schools requested parents to pick up children for safety.
• On October 20, another woman (84) was lightly injured in a bear attack.
• Toyama Prefecture issued its fourth bear sighting alert of the year.
• October bear sightings in the region reached 271, surpassing 2023’s total of 257.
• Governor Hachiro Nitta urged vigilance as bears remain active before hibernation.
• Measures include fireworks, patrols, and bear traps set for early November.
Summary
A bear attack in Tateyama, Toyama Prefecture, left a woman in her 70s with severe facial injuries on October 24. The incident occurred in her backyard while she was pruning trees. Two adult bears were sighted nearby before the attack, and the bear fled toward the Joganji River embankment. Despite a search involving 40 personnel, the bear remains at large. This marks the third bear-related injury in the region this year. Authorities issued warnings, closed roads, and requested parents to pick up children from schools. Toyama Prefecture also issued its fourth bear sighting alert of the year, with October sightings reaching 271, surpassing last year’s total. Governor Hachiro Nitta called for heightened vigilance as bears remain active before hibernation. Measures include fireworks, patrols, and the installation of bear traps in early November.
