Foreign tourist injured in bear attack in northeastern Japan

A foreign tourist was attacked by a bear near an observation deck overlooking Lake Towada, a popular tourist destination in northeastern Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, local media reported on Saturday.

The man suffered a bite to his right arm and was airlifted to a hospital, according to Kyodo News, citing the Towada city government and the local fire department.

He was conscious and able to communicate after the attack.

The incident comes as Japan faces a continuing rise in bear encounters, particularly in the country's northern and northeastern regions.

NHK reported that six people have been killed and at least 55 injured in bear attacks across 17 Japanese prefectures since April 1, making the death toll the highest during this period since comparable records began in 2008.

About 60% of the attacks occurred in mountain forests, while most victims were alone, with five of the six fatalities believed to have been attacked while collecting wild plants.

The figures remain below the record of 238 people injured and 13 killed during fiscal 2025, according to Japan’s Environment Ministry.