Overview
- A brown bear chased a lone hiker on Mount Rausu on Thursday near the Iwaobetsu course's Okhotsk Observatory at about 450 meters, and the man used bear‑deterrent spray at roughly 3–5 meters to make the bear retreat without injury.
- Shari Town and the Shiretoko Brown Bear Countermeasures Council ordered all Rausu trailheads closed on July 9 and said the suspension will last at least five days pending on‑site assessment, with a target review through July 14.
- Agency staff escorted other hikers safely off the mountain during the response, and authorities reported no injuries from the incident.
- Officials are not ruling out stronger measures, including consideration of capture or culling, as they monitor bear activity and evaluate public safety options.
- The reclosure follows a July 5 reopening after a fatal brown‑bear attack last August and highlights the challenge of managing visitor access to the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage area while preventing further human–bear conflicts.