News Black Bear Nishigo, Fukushima Apr 22, 2026, 07:00 AM

Description

On April 22, 2026, at the JSDF Shirakawa Nunobiki-yama training area in Nishigo Village, Fukushima, a male SDF member in his 30s was attacked by a bear while checking the site after firefighters and troops extinguished a grass fire caused by live-fire training. He was bitten on his right arm and left wrist, required five stitches, and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Note: Official sources provide information in Japanese only. This description has been machine translated for your convenience.

Summary

At the Shirakawa Nunobiki-yama training area in Fukushima, an 81mm mortar live-fire exercise ignited grass at an impact site and the resulting fire was extinguished after about five hours by firefighters and troops. Immediately after suppression, a male SDF member in his 30s checking the scene was attacked by a bear and bitten on his right arm and left wrist; he received stitches but suffered no life-threatening injuries. The garrison says it will investigate the cause, strengthen preventive measures, and enhance bear countermeasures.

Bear Type

Black Bear

Number of Bears

1

Provider Type

News

Date & Time

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 07:00 AM

Address

Coordinates

37.161726, 140.107223

Sources