Bear Attacks Resurge in Japan: Iwate Police Officer Injured, Body Found in Nearby Ravine
A police officer in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, was injured in a bear attack while searching for a missing person, and a woman's body was found in a nearby ravine. This woman may be the first bear-related fatality of the fiscal year, and police are working to identify her.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 01:08
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 01:31 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 06:16 (4h 44m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Tokyo, April 22, Comprehensive Foreign Report) According to Kyodo News, a male police officer from the Shiwa Police Station in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, was attacked and injured by a bear yesterday while searching for a missing person. A female body was found in a nearby ravine, possibly the first person killed by a bear attack this fiscal year.
The report states that on the evening of the 20th, a report was made about an unattended car with its engine running parked by the roadside near a ravine, prompting authorities to search for the female owner.
Yesterday morning at around 9:40 AM, multiple police officers and hunters began their search. Around 9:50 AM, a 56-year-old male police officer was attacked by a bear, sustaining injuries to his face and arms. A body of an adult female with injuries was found in a ravine dozens of meters from the attack site.
Police believe the deceased likely suffered a bear attack and are working to confirm her identity.
The Ministry of the Environment stated that if it is confirmed that this woman died due to a bear attack, she would be the first victim of the 2026 fiscal year.
Police and fire departments also revealed that after the male officer was attacked, hunters from the accompanying hunting club drove away a female bear, approximately 1.3 meters long, believed to be an adult.
The male officer was conscious and able to converse when transported to the hospital. (Edited by: Yang Zhaoyan) 1150422
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(Central News Agency, Tokyo, April 22, Comprehensive Foreign Report) According to Kyodo News, a male police officer from the Shiwa Police Station in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, was attacked and injured by a bear yesterday while searching for a missing person. A female body was found in a nearby ravine, possibly the first person killed by a bear attack this fiscal year.
The report states that on the evening of the 20th, a report was made about an unattended car with its engine running parked by the roadside near a ravine, prompting authorities to search for the female owner.
Yesterday morning at around 9:40 AM, multiple police officers and hunters began their search. Around 9:50 AM, a 56-year-old male police officer was attacked by a bear, sustaining injuries to his face and arms. A body of an adult female with injuries was found in a ravine dozens of meters from the attack site.
Police believe the deceased likely suffered a bear attack and are working to confirm her identity.
The Ministry of the Environment stated that if it is confirmed that this woman died due to a bear attack, she would be the first victim of the 2026 fiscal year.
Police and fire departments also revealed that after the male officer was attacked, hunters from the accompanying hunting club drove away a female bear, approximately 1.3 meters long, believed to be an adult.
The male officer was conscious and able to converse when transported to the hospital. (Edited by: Yang Zhaoyan) 1150422
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.