Wild bear found under kotatsu rug in Japanese home

On the evening of December 23, when a Japanese man in his 60s came home, he accidentally discovered a scene from the manga: a bear burying its head under a kotatsu table covered with blankets. The incident occurred at around 6:20 pm in a snowy mountain village called Houshio Town in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture. Japan Broadcasting Corporation Footage from the scene has been released.

Surprised and frightened, the man sought refuge at a neighbor’s house. When he looked out the window around 8:00 p.m., the 90-centimetre-long black bear was still wandering around, chewing food. After being notified by neighbors, county police and the local hunters association spent several hours the next morning trying to remove the animal. Police eventually used firecrackers to lure the stubborn bear into a small shed. It was shot with a tranquilizer dart around 3:25 p.m. and safely returned to the mountain.

Police are urging residents to lock their doors as the bear is believed to have entered the man’s home through the sliding back door. They also restricted access to the residential area where the incident occurred, about 11 kilometers north of JR Kitakata Station.

“Kotatsu Bear” graphics, courtesy of ANN News

Bear invasions on the rise

While bears are not uncommon in the area, this particular incursion is just one of a string of recent similar incidents in Japan. especially, A bear breaks into a supermarket in Akita city On November 30, he assaulted an employee and stayed in the store for nearly three days. Fortunately, the 47-year-old man’s injuries were not fatal. After a dramatic two-day standoff with police that involved the use of drones and widespread publicity, the bear was trapped and killed.

Akita Prefecture has seen an alarming increase in bear sightings in urban areas this year and has extended a “black bear warning” into December. Experts warn residents to stay covert and remain still when encountering the animals. They explained that it is especially dangerous for bears to venture into densely populated areas in search of food due to increased stress.

Governor Satake’s hypothetical threat: “I will send bears to your house” (Courtesy of Fuji Shimbun Network)

Public outrage over bear extermination

The extinction of supermarket bears in November has reignited controversy over how to deal with wild animals that invade urban areas. The Akita Prefectural Government reportedly received a large number of telephone complaints about the extinction, many from non-residents.

This is a common problem faced by local governments whenever bears are put down. Calls from concerned citizens can last as long as 30 minutes or even an hour, disrupting government employees’ schedules. Akita Governor Takahisa Satake made headlines for his ruthless response to these complaints. according to Japan Broadcasting CorporationSatake said if he got a call, he would threaten, “Give me your address and I’ll deliver the bear to your house.”

In response to questions about the extreme nature of his remarks, Satake said it is necessary for a leader to take a firm stance. During general deliberations at the Akita Prefectural Assembly on December 18, he acknowledged that extinction sometimes requires explanation. However, he also urged complainants to “think about what would happen if there was a bear near their home. [Ultimately,] Human life comes first. “

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