94 Schools Shut as Bear Roams Japanese City for Three Days

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Utsunomiya, Japan: Authorities in a Japanese city closed 94 public schools on Monday after a bear was spotted repeatedly in residential and commercial areas, prompting a large-scale search operation involving hunters, police and local officials.

The bear has been seen at multiple locations across Utsunomiya since Saturday, including near homes, a shopping arcade, a park and several schools. Officials urged residents to remain indoors or stay inside vehicles while search teams worked to locate the animal.

More than 10 sightings have been reported over the past three days, though authorities have not confirmed whether all the reports involve the same bear. The animal was first spotted north of the city centre and was described as being about one metre long.

The latest sighting occurred early Monday near a wholesale market, leading city officials to step up safety measures and keep schools closed as a precaution.

The incident comes as Japan faces a growing number of bear encounters, particularly in urban areas. Last year, a record 13 people were killed in bear attacks nationwide. Officials say sightings have surged as bears increasingly venture into populated areas, often in search of food after emerging from hibernation.

Government data shows that bear sightings across Japan exceeded 50,000 in the year ending March, more than double the previous record set two years earlier.

The spike in encounters has raised concerns about human-wildlife conflicts across the country. In contrast, Utsunomiya, a city of about 510,000 residents located north of Tokyo, recorded only two unconfirmed bear sightings during the previous year.