Russian Hiker Injured in Japan Bear Attack Amid Rising Encounters

Russian hiker becomes Japan’s latest bear attack victim as another grim record looms

A Russian hiker was seriously injured in the mountainous west of Tokyo on Sunday morning, raising fears that Japan could be heading for another record year of human-bear encounters. Police said a bear attacked the man as he was hiking along a forest road near Mount Sanukido, close to the town of Okutama. The man, who has not been named, sustained severe injuries to his face and arms and was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Hachioji city. His injuries were not life-threatening. The att...

By Julian Ryall