Hiroshi Takahashi recounts his encounter with the bear in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, Nov. 27, 2025. (Mainichi/Akira Kudo)

YUZAWA, Akita – A 65-year-old man in this northern Japan city who was attacked by a bear before confining the animal inside his home in October has recounted the ordeal, saying he was overwhelmed by the animal’s strength and speed.

The bear appeared early on the morning of Oct. 20, in central Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, near Yuzawa Station on the JR Ou Line. It attacked four men in their 50s to 70s in multiple locations including a street near the train station, a hotel parking lot and a private residence between around 5 a.m. and 6:20 a.m., leaving them with injuries to the back, arm, leg and other parts. Hiroshi Takahashi, the fourth victim, was attacked at his home about 200 meters northeast of the station.

"When I woke up in the morning, police cars were patrolling the area around my house, broadcasting ‘A bear is out, please be careful.’ At first, I couldn’t make out what they were saying, so I opened the door to see what was happening, and there was a bear sitting 2 meters away," Takahashi recalled.

He initially thought it might be a dog or something. But, almost immediately, the bear, which was about 1.3 meters in length, lunged at him, biting the back of his right leg. Takahashi fell backward in shock. The animal then charged into the house.

A room in Hiroshi Takahashi’s home, in which the bear roamed about from Oct. 20 to 25, is seen in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, Nov. 27, 2025. There were no signs of damage to the tatami mats or sliding doors. (Mainichi/Akira Kudo)

Living alone, Takahashi had locked all the doors from the inside at night. He quickly thought to trap the bear inside, closed the entrance door and exited the house. Police and others soon arrived, and they covered the exterior of the house with plastic sheets.

City officials set up box traps at the entrance the bear had used and near another entrance. During the setup, they could apparently see the bear inside the house through the windows.

On the sixth day, Oct. 25, the bear was captured. During this time, Takahashi was in hospital for treatment of his injury.

It is believed that the bear roamed through all the rooms on the first and second floors of Takahashi’s home. Upon returning home after being discharged from the hospital, Takahashi found bear droppings and footprints in several places, including the tatami mat room. While kitchen dishes were broken, there were no signs of damage to the tatami room, Buddhist altar, sliding doors or stored rice.

Hiroshi Takahashi’s home, where a bear was hiding, background, is seen with its entrance covered with a plastic sheet in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, Oct. 23, 2025. (Mainichi/Akira Kudo)

The city government covered the cost of cleaning and disinfecting the house using a professional service. However, Takahashi had to personally bear the cost of replacing household items including a futon and blanket.

Local residents helped with the cleanup, telling him, "It must have been tough," and asking, "Is your leg OK?"

Takahashi told the Mainichi Shimbun, "I never imagined there would be a bear in front of my house. It happened so suddenly, and with that speed, there was no way to protect myself, even my face. I’m relieved it was only one injury to my leg." He added, "You never know where a bear might be or come from. I realized that when leaving the house, it’s better to first open the door slightly to check for safety outside before opening it widely and stepping out."

Yuzawa Mayor Kazuo Sato on Nov. 7 visited Takahashi at his home and expressed gratitude for preventing further injuries, saying, "If you hadn’t closed the door, the damage could have spread further." The city will provide Takahashi with a 50,000 yen (about $320) consolation payment.

(Japanese original by Akira Kudo, Akita Bureau)

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