TOKYO — A foreign tourist was injured after being attacked by a bear near an observation deck overlooking Lake Towada, a popular tourist destination in northeastern Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, local media reported Saturday.The man suffered a bite wound to his right arm and was airlifted to a hospital, Kyodo News reported, citing the Towada city government and local fire department.He remained conscious and was able to communicate following the attack.The incident comes amid a continued rise in encounters between people and bears across Japan, particularly in northern and northeastern parts of the country.Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that six people have been killed and at least 55 injured in bear attacks across 17 prefectures since April 1.The six deaths represent the highest toll recorded for the period since comparable records began in 2008.Around 60% of the attacks occurred in mountain forests, while most victims were alone at the time. Five of the six people killed are believed to have been attacked while collecting wild plants.Despite the recent increase, the figures remain below those recorded during fiscal 2025, when 238 people were injured and 13 killed in bear attacks, according to Japan’s Environment Ministry.
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