Japanese city closes nearly 100 schools as black bear roams its streets

A bear roaming the streets of a Japanese city for three days has forced the closure of nearly 100 schools as dozens of hunters and officials searched for the animal.

.....

The city government of Utsunomiya, north of Tokyo, closed all 94 public primary and junior high schools in the area after receiving more than 10 reports of bear sightings since Saturday — including in a shopping arcade.

“We have vehicles out to areas where a bear was seen to make people aware and to urge people to stay indoors or in vehicles,” a city official told AFP, adding that dozens of hunters, police and local officials have been looking for the animal.

It was not clear whether there is one bear or more, he said, speaking on the customary condition of anonymity.

This incident comes amid a concerning rise in bear attacks across Japan, including within urban environments. In response, the government established a task force this year to mitigate casualties.