Bear Attacks Man in Public Restroom
(Getty Images / Satoru S)
A surge in bear encounters across Japan—already at record levels this year—continued with another frightening incident early Friday. According to Kyodo News, a 69-year-old security guard in Gunma Prefecture was preparing to leave a public restroom near JR Numata Station when he saw a bear looking inside.
Startled, the guard fell backward but quickly kicked his legs toward the animal, which was estimated to be between 3 and 5 feet long. The bear retreated, and the guard reported the incident around 1:20am, after train service had ended for the night. He sustained only minor scrapes on one leg.
The Guardian reports that bear attacks in Japan have reached unprecedented levels this year, with 13 fatalities recorded since April. The Straits Times adds that the surge has become so troubling that an insurance company announced a new policy on Friday aimed at hotels and leisure businesses, offering compensation if a bear intrusion disrupts operations and leads to financial losses.
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