The federal government has issued a travel warning for Japan after an increase in fatal bear attacks in that country.
The government issued the warning on Nov. 14, saying, “There is an increased presence of bears in northern Japan, including in urban areas, resorts and hiking trails,” and noted that “some encounters have resulted in casualties.”
The government is recommending that Canadians in the region avoid walking alone, and said travellers should follow local warnings.
There have been more than 100 bear attacks in Japan since April, with 13 people killed across the country, according to Japan’s environment ministry.
Japanese authorities have said that in Akita, located in the northern part of the country, bear sightings are up sixfold to more than 8,000. The local governor recently asked for the military to cull the bear population in the region. …