A bear measuring over one meter in length has been spotted near a residential area in Hachioji, Tokyo. Experts are warning that it may move even closer to urban areas. [TV Asahi News]
A black bear measuring over 1 meter in length has been spotted in Hachioji, Tokyo. Elementary school students are now carrying bear bells to school, and vigilance continues. Amid a series of bear sightings across the country, a bear sighting has now been confirmed in Tokyo. The camera captured the bear walking leisurely in the darkness, its eyes gleaming, perhaps searching for food.
This black bear, measuring over 1 meter in length, was confirmed in Hachioji City, Tokyo, on April 29th. The bear was sighted in Moto-Hachioji-cho, about 3km from JR Nishi-Hachioji Station. This area is home to residential areas and an elementary school. A bear measuring over 1 meter in length has appeared in Tokyo. Nearby residents who saw the video said things like, “Is this it? It’s huge,” “I thought it was scary,” “I can’t believe it, I didn’t know there was such a big bear,” “I was surprised. I didn’t know they appeared in Hachioji,” and “I also go to school, though not every day, so it’s scary to think that a dangerous creature has appeared so close by.” No injuries have been reported so far, and there have been no further sightings.
Amid heightened vigilance against bear sightings, some children at a nearby elementary school were seen wearing bear bells. We spoke to a mother who had given her child a bell. Mother: I was shocked when I saw the camera footage and realized it really was a bear. Last night, I rushed out to buy a bear bell, even though it’s just for peace of mind. Child: The teacher said it was okay, nothing could be done.
Mother: Keychains are prohibited from this year, so I checked with the school teacher through the communication notebook. Keychains and similar items are usually prohibited, but she said she consulted with the school and received permission for her child to wear a bell. When we spoke to the children, they said, “(The teacher) told us to avoid being alone as much as possible,” “(Q. Were the bells you’re wearing provided by the school?) We bought them ourselves,” “Mom told us to wear one,” and “I didn’t realize they could appear even this close by. I didn’t know that when we went to Tokyo.” Regarding the 2025 sighting of a bear in Hachioji City, which is closer to central Tokyo than Ome City or Akiruno City, Associate Professor Takayoshi Yamauchi of the Faculty of Agriculture at Iwate University said, “This time it was quite close to a residential area, but in the surrounding mountainous areas, there are many abandoned fields and vacant houses.
Some individuals that are quite dependent on human settlements are roaming around in search of food. It’s a situation where not only bears but various wild animals are likely to appear.” Associate Professor Yamauchi also pointed out a precaution unique to Tokyo, saying, “Ultimately, they will rummage through garbage, and the most troublesome thing is that they will enter buildings. It is important to properly dispose of your garbage.” Hachioji City has set up a box trap to capture bears near the location where the sighting occurred. They will continue to work with the police and other related organizations to warn residents in the surrounding area. FNN Prime Online
Amidst a series of sightings of “obese bears” weighing over 300 kilograms, a particular concern is “carnivorous bears.” These bears are said to be more likely to attack humans. [TV Asahi NEWS]
Bear sightings continue unabated across Japan. According to “Bear Map,” as of May 11th, there have been 1,877 bear sightings nationwide in the past 30 days. This is approximately three times the number from the previous month. “Nonstop!” conducted an emergency investigation in Aoba Ward, Sendai City, where bear sightings have been frequent in urban areas since April. The mountains where the bears live are very close to the city center, and the Hirose River flows from the mountains to the city. According to Associate Professor Takayoshi Yamauchi of Iwate University, the bears appearing in Sendai City are likely “stray bears” due to the terrain. We asked residents, who are feeling anxious, about the measures they can take now. (“Nonstop!” broadcast on May 12, 2026)
