Woman apparently killed by bear in Akita forest

Best to check with the local authorities to see if there are wild animals or a sanctuary before going out in the woods. Also, best not to go alone.

I cant think of any reason why the name isnt being released. Is she even real?

One woman and three men?

Maybe the Japanese have found another innovative way to commit suicide?

Four people killed now in three weeks?? Scary!

Bears are not afraid of people so much these days. As more and more folks head into the mountains bears get used to hearing and smelling humans. In the old days humans meant hunters. Nowadays not so much. Folks need to make a heap of noise and preferably take a noisy hound or two with them. RIP, Not a long drive from Towada to Kazuno but those are expensive bamboo shoots which coincidentally are bears favorite source of energy in the spring. Young cubs are also out and about, one went through the playground of my kids school just last week, twice the same day, while it was harmless the mother was the risk. More Public Service announcements on local TV perhaps.

And people are defenseless.

@Lockke: < I cant think of any reason why the name isnt being released.

Can you not? how about, the family hasn't been contacted yet.

Maybe she forgot to take one of those tiny bells...

how about, the family hasn't been contacted yet

That doesn't normally stop the release of information

There have been several bear sightings recently. Three men have been killed by bears in the area since May 21

And still she thought a handful of bamboo shoots was more important than her safety.

That doesn't normally stop the release of information.

Yes, it does. Until family has been contacted even TV news gives gender and age only.

Well, the intrepid hunters were called upon to shoot something - anything - which they duly did, though whether it was the bear in question cannot be ascertained, of course. But it looks like something was done.

As someone who likes to spend nights in the forest in places I should not be, please allow me to be the first to say that there are lots of things going on out there that people have no clue about. Bear sightings in my area are common, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. The forest is alive with wild animals.

Even in camping areas, tanuki and fox groups move through the tent groups at night. People report hearing bears, though sightings are not so common. Forests at night are actually pretty noisy, even in areas very close to human habitation. People should keep food away from camps, always have at least a pole for defense, in addition to a knife. Older people and kids should not go out alone. Avoid areas with scat and caves.

All that said, it seems odd to me that bears are killing people... but not eating them. It makes me think that people are not reacting correctly because the bears are obviously not desperately hungry. Someone gets mauled. Maybe theri face gets chewed, and then the bear leaves. The best defense might be a tossed hotdog, followed by a beeline in the opposite direction.

Older people and kids should not go out alone.

Bears can out-sprint Usain Bolt, so it doesn't matter if one's a healthy 25 year old, or otherwise.

Sad way to go.

Get out the bear spray.

I was just told today that the people looking for bamboo shoots are paid quite a lot for the freshest and largest ones. upward of 20,000 yen was the price given! I guess they sell them to organic restaurants in larger cities and that would be quite a good income for elderly people in rural areas. Deer horns, I was told by a hunter last autumn sell for ....70,000 yen! So, I reckon they knew there were bears in the area. At 74, they cannot be too naive! Spotting quite a few bears west of Tokyo as well! And boar and deer.

May your soul rest in peace. Here's sending thoughts of comfort to the loved ones. Stay safe everyone!