Police reported receiving a call at approximately 19h30 on 7/10, detailing a bear attack on customers inside a supermarket in Numata City, located about 130 km north of Tokyo, Japan.

The bear reportedly ambushed one person in the parking lot before attacking another customer inside the supermarket. Both victims sustained injuries that were not life-threatening.

A bear entered a supermarket in Numata City, Japan, on 7/10. Photo: Asahi

The bear, standing about 1,4 m tall, then proceeded to search the fish and sushi display areas before leaving. The manager stated that there were between 30 and 40 customers in the supermarket at the time.

"It seemed the bear wanted to leave immediately after entering the supermarket but couldn't find its way out, which made it agitated", the supermarket manager said. As the manager directed customers to evacuate, the bear found an exit and ran outside.

"I hear news about bears entering stores, but I never thought a bear would actually come into our store", the manager stated.

Two similar bear attacks earlier this month resulted in two fatalities, bringing the total number of bear-related deaths in Japan this year to 7. This represents the highest annual death toll since records began in 2006.

Experts explain that bears are increasingly leaving their traditional habitats and entering urban areas in search of food, a trend attributed to climate change diminishing their natural food sources.

Also on 7/10, one farmer was attacked by a bear in Akita, a northern province. Days prior, a Spanish tourist sustained injuries from a bear while walking near a bus stop in Shirakawa village, a renowned tourist destination in central Japan.

Vu Hoang (According to NHK, CNN, Kyodo News)