Woman Unconscious After Bear Attack Outside Japan Disabled Home Amid Rising Regional Incidents

A 73-year-old woman in Akita Prefecture, Japan, was hospitalized unconscious after being attacked by a bear outside a facility for people with disabilities. Surveillance footage showed a bear-like animal attacking her as she left the facility holding a garbage bag. This incident reflects a broader trend of increased bear sightings and attacks in residential areas across Japan, with government data reporting 85 bear attacks and three deaths in the year ending March 2025. The Akita region has extended its bear alert due to frequent sightings and high encounter risks, urging residents to exercise caution. Nearby, a bear cub was sighted days before the attack, and the presence of bears has caused other disruptions, including canceled flights and events. Authorities continue to warn residents in affected areas, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance around welfare facilities and residential neighborhoods.