① Beware of Bear Attacks When Traveling to Japan
Recently, there have been frequent cases of bears appearing in residential areas in Japan and attacking people. Over the past six months, a total of 109 people, including two fatalities, have been recorded as victims of bear attacks in 15 municipalities, including Fukushima Prefecture.
In September of this year, a Korean tourist visiting Japan was injured in a bear attack. Thankfully, the individual’s life was not in danger, but following the incident, measures were put in place to close the surrounding roads and capture the bear that attacked the man.
Bears are typically wary creatures, reluctant to approach humans or residential areas. Nevertheless, the frequency of bear sightings in residential areas, including tourist spots, has recently increased.
Until 1989, Japan allowed bear hunting every spring. However, as the bear population began to decrease, hunting was prohibited.
Since hunting was prohibited, the population of Hokkaido brown bears, which was 5,200 thirty years ago, has increased to approximately 11,700 in 2020. This increase in the bear population has led to more frequent bear sightings.
Bears that come down to populated areas consume everything from fruit to dried fish and even farmed fish. Such incidents have frequently occurred, but the number of bear attacks on humans has increased recently.
In the northern part of Honshu, in Iwate Prefecture, a 70-year-old woman gathering mushrooms was injured in a bear attack. In Hokkaido, bears have become accustomed to vehicle and road noise, increasing bear sightings in Sapporo residential areas.
Notably, in the Tohoku region this fall, additional damage is feared due to a poor harvest of tree fruits, which are the food for young bears, so caution is needed.
② The Trouble with Crows in Japan
In Japan, especially during breeding season, wild animals can cause trouble. Crows, which are particularly abundant in Japan, are one such example.
Japanese crows are larger than Korean crows, which can make them seem threatening. However, crows are known in Japan as friendly birds, akin to neighbors.
Korea and Japan have traditionally revered the three-legged crow, believed to live in the sun. It is known as a bird that connects the human world and the sky, governing over death.
Unlike in Japan, where crows are considered auspicious, the crow’s call is often regarded as a bad omen in Korea. In Korea, magpies, not crows, are considered lucky birds.
Magpies will attack other birds that invade their territory, often in groups. They are mainly known as predators of crows. In Korean cities, magpies have taken up residence, pushing crows to the outskirts, making them a rare sight. In contrast, in Japan, crows are common in cities, with magpies being rare, except in a few regions.
In Japan, crows are still regarded as familiar neighborhood birds. However, they have also become a nuisance.
Japanese crows tear open garbage bags in search of food in urban areas and steal clothes hangers to build nests on utility poles, causing power outages and fires.
Moreover, the number of attacks by crows has recently increased, leading to more requests for their capture.
The frequency of crow attacks on humans increases between mid-April and mid-July, which is the breeding season for crows. It typically takes about a month for young crows to learn to fly when mother crows perceive humans approaching the nest as threats and react aggressively.
During the crows’ breeding season, if you see a young crow, it’s best to avoid approaching it. Protecting your head with a hat or umbrella is recommended if you have to pass by.
③ Live Frog Found in Udon
In May, a live frog was found in a takeout product from a Japanese udon company. This incident occurred between late May and June, the breeding season for frogs, when they are most active after awakening from hibernation.
It was determined that the frog was not from the store where the product was sold but had been mixed in at the vegetable processing plant. During the breeding season, when frogs are particularly active, it’s possible that a frog stuck to a vegetable ended up at the plant.
Given the recent surge in incidents involving wildlife, extra caution is advised if you’re planning a trip to Japan.
By. Kim Min Jae
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