Bear Sightings Hamper School Activities in Japan
Bear sightings in residential and school areas across Japan, including Hiroshima, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima, Toyama, and Iwate, have forced temporary closures and restricted activities at 11 elementary, junior high, and high schools on May 14-18. Authorities in Iwate canceled emergency culling for a bear near Iwate University’s Ueda campus after its whereabouts became unknown, prioritizing student safety and shifting classes online.
Bear sightings in Japan’s residential and school zones have disrupted education and safety protocols across multiple prefectures. In Saeki Ward, Hiroshima, at least 11 schools closed on May 14 after reports of bears in neighborhoods, leaving officials unsure how to balance education and safety. Nagashima Elementary School in Aomori canceled outdoor activities on May 15 after a bear was spotted near the school, with parents escorting children and some students absent due to fear. Schools in Sendai, Miyagi, suspended outdoor play and PE classes after sightings on May 14-15, allowing anxious students to stay home. In Kitakata, Fukushima, a bear crossing an elementary school playground on May 15 prompted evacuations and canceled outdoor events. Namerikawa, Toyama, closed an elementary school on May 1 and postponed a high school event after bear reports. Meanwhile, Iwate University’s Ueda campus canceled classes on May 14 after a bear was spotted near dorms and a gym, shifting to online learning the next day. Authorities initially planned to cull the bear under Japan’s 2025 emergency wildlife management law but abandoned the plan when the bear’s location became unclear. Officials emphasized that student safety remains the top priority, even as schools struggle to maintain normal operations.
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