Bear described as 'extremely intelligent' eludes massive manhunt in Fukushima after injuring four

The attacks

A bear, described as an Asian black bear approximately one meter in length, entered the Fukushima Steel Works factory in the Sasakino district around 6:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. It attacked two employees there before moving to a nearby residence, where it injured another person. The animal then entered the Oki Sympho-Tech electronics plant, attacking a fourth individual in the parking lot. Security footage captured the moment the bear chased and assaulted a worker before being scared off by a car. The four victims ranged in age from their 20s to over 80, with injuries including facial bone fractures, though none were in life-threatening condition.

The standoff and escape

After the attacks, the bear became trapped inside the Oki Sympho-Tech factory. Authorities deployed four box traps, mobilized hunters and police, and authorized the use of firearms. However, police refrained from shooting due to flammable materials inside the building. A tranquilizer dart was fired at the bear, but the sedative reportedly failed to enter its body. Traps baited with fruit and honey were also unsuccessful; the bear ate the bait without triggering the mechanisms. On Wednesday evening, around 10:50 p.m. local time, a police officer observed the bear climbing over a factory gate. Evidence at the scene, including claw marks near the exit and a torn insect screen, suggested the animal had unlocked a window latch and opened the window itself to escape.

The bear seemed capable of opening a closed window by itself.

An 'extremely intelligent' animal

Fukushima Mayor Yuki Baba told reporters that the bear had also been seen placing its front paws on a tap and drinking water inside the facility. These behaviors led officials to label the animal "extremely intelligent." The mayor expressed regret over the failed capture, stating that despite cooperation among hunters, police, and firefighters, the bear had managed to slip away. The manhunt continued through Friday, June 5, with drones deployed and local elementary and junior high schools switching to online classes on Thursday before reopening with heightened security measures, including locked ground-floor doors and windows.

With the cooperation of hunters, police, and firefighters, I think we have taken all possible measures.

Rising bear encounters in Japan

The Fukushima incident is part of a broader surge in bear sightings and attacks across Japan. In the last fiscal year ending in March, bear sightings nationwide exceeded 50,000, more than double the previous record set two years earlier. A record 13 people were killed by bears in Japan last year. Experts attribute the increase partly to climate change, which has boosted the availability of food sources such as acorns, deer, and wild boar, fueling bear population growth. The animals, emerging hungry from hibernation, are increasingly entering homes, wandering near schools, and ransacking supermarkets.

The ongoing search

As of Friday, the bear remained at large. A city official confirmed to AFP that the animal was still on the run. Residents have been urged to stay indoors, and one local expressed hope that the bear would be found quickly. The search involves coordination among municipal authorities, police, firefighters, and licensed hunters. Despite the extensive resources deployed, the bear's ability to evade capture has left officials frustrated and the community on edge.