Four people were injured in Fukushima after a one-metre bear chased and mauled workers, then remained at large despite an expanded search by police, hunters and drones.
Factory staff saw the bear turn on a tap to drink, and officials said it apparently unlatched and opened a locked window from inside after climbing into an electronics plant.
A tranquilliser dart hit the animal but did not subdue it, while regular firearms were not used because flammable materials were present at the factory.
Schools closed on Thursday and reopened Friday with extra precautions, including locked ground-floor doors and windows.
Japan logged a record 13 bear deaths and 238 serious attacks in the year to March, as rural depopulation and climate-driven food shortages push bears closer to people.
As Japan's bears outsmart traps and tranquilizers, is a mass rural retreat the only solution left for this super-aged nation?
Why are Japanese bears becoming 'super-intelligent,' and what does this escalating conflict reveal about our changing planet?
2026 Fukushima Bear Standoff Highlights Japan’s Record 50,000+ Bear Sightings and Escalating Attacks
Overview
On June 2, 2026, a bear invaded the city of Fukushima, displaying aggressive behavior and remarkable cunning. The animal injured four people, causing a tense standoff as authorities tried to contain it. Cornered inside the Oki Sympho-Tech factory, the bear demonstrated unexpected intelligence and wariness by outwitting the city-led capture team. In a surprising turn, it managed to unlatch a window and escape into the night, putting the city on high alert. This incident highlights the growing challenge of managing increasingly bold and intelligent bears entering urban areas in Japan.