Overview

• A man was found dead with gash wounds after hunting for bamboo shoots in the mountains.
• Two police officers were seriously injured while recovering the man's body in Kazuno, Akita Prefecture.
• Authorities have closed some wooded areas and deployed patrol cars and helicopters to locate the bears.
• Residents are advised to avoid going out at night and to carry noise-making devices to deter bears.
• The increase in bear encounters is attributed to habitat encroachment and food scarcity, possibly linked to climate change.