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Japan

Bear breaks into homes and raids fridges in Japanese town amid string of repeat offences

Wednesday, 15 July 2026, 06:42 · 1 min read

Japanese authorities are hunting an Asiatic black bear suspected of breaking into at least 14 properties over two weeks in Shizukuishi, a town in Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan. The animal has raided fridges, stolen doughnuts from a confectionery shop, and in one incident stood on its hind legs to push open a sliding door as a resident struggled to hold it shut. Experts warn that declining rural populations have made bears less fearful of humans, contributing to record levels of bear attacks across Japan in recent years.

Sources
The GuardianJapan officials hunt bear that raided couple’s fridge amid string of break-ins ↗︎
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