Bear captured in Utsunomiya: Search ends after four days

The successful conclusion of the search operation, which received extensive coverage in Japanese media, brought a sense of relief to the city. Utsunomiya is located north of Tokyo and is the capital of Tochigi Prefecture.

Background: Increasing number of bears in Japan's cities

For several years, the number of bear sightings and attacks in Japan has been rising significantly, including in urban areas. Between April 2025 and the end of March 2026, more than 50,000 bear sightings were registered nationwide — more than double the number in the previous record year of 2023. In the year before that, 13 people in Japan had been killed by bears, more than ever before.

Experts attribute the rising numbers to a growing bear population and the increasing depopulation of rural areas. As fewer and fewer people live in the villages, the animals have increasingly pushed closer to cities. Two species of bears live in Japan: the Asiatic black bear, also known as the moon bear, and the larger brown bear. Brown bears can weigh up to half a ton and can run faster than humans.

Already in the previous year, the acorn mast in Japan's forests had been poor, causing the bears to move to other areas in search of food. Thousands of bears are shot in Japan every year. In Utsunomiya, a city of around 500,000 inhabitants, there had also been repeated sightings in recent years, but the multi-day stay of an animal in the middle of the city is considered unusual.

Emergency personnel and public response

After the animal was captured, daily life in Utsunomiya quickly returned to normal. Schools were able to resume operations, and residents left their homes. The city administration thanked the emergency personnel for their efforts.

Outlook: Further sightings expected

Japanese media interpreted the successful operation as an example of the growing challenge of coexistence between humans and animals in a society in which rural regions are increasingly becoming depopulated. Observers expect that the trend toward more sightings will continue in the coming years.

Two species of bears live in Japan: the Asiatic black bear, also known as the moon bear, and the larger brown bear. Experts recommend securing trash bins tightly in bear-rich regions and making noise while hiking to avoid encounters.