Bear sightings and attacks continue nationwide in Japan as the country entered the second weekend of November.

We start off in Katsuyama, Fukui Prefecture, where an emergency culling took place on the premises of a factory operated by Seiren.

According to city officials, at around 10:00PM on November 7, a worker discovered a bear measuring over one meter in length near the factory and reported it to authorities.

Subsequently, officials searched the vicinity and discovered a single bear on the factory premises on the morning of November 8.

Authorities determined there was a high risk of harm to citizens, so they cordoned off the factory premises and culled the bear by emergency shooting at 10:16AM.

As the factory was not operating and the factory grounds were quite large, no evacuation or sheltering in place was carried out for nearby residents.

No injuries have been reported.

This marks the second instance of emergency culling by gun in Fukui Prefecture, following an earlier case at the end of October.

In Shinjo, Yamagata Prefecture, a bear took up residence in the Shinkansen bullet train depot within JR Shinjo Station at around 2:30PM on November 8.

According to police and East Japan Railway, the bear is believed to be a cub measuring around 50 centimetres in length.

City officials and others set up box traps, and the bear was captured at around 4:00PM. 

As a result of the incident, service on the Yamagata Shinkansen was briefly suspended, however, no other major disruptions occurred on conventional train lines.

In Senboku, Akita Prefecture, an 85-year-old man was attacked by a bear in a field behind his home on November 8.

According to emergency services, a local resident heard screams at around 11:20AM and rushed to the scene, where they witnessed a single bear running away. 

Subsequently, they discovered the man lying unconscious and alerted emergency services.

The man was attacked by a bear while working in his vegetable garden behind his house, sustaining injuries to his face and right arm. 

He was taken to a hospital in the city of Akita.

Neighbour: These days, bears don't think humans are anything to be afraid of.

The following morning on November 9, a series of bear attacks occurred within Akita Prefecture, resulting in injuries to three people.

In each case, the attacks occurred within residential premises.

According to emergency services, a 78-year-old woman was attacked by a bear at around 6:00AM in the town of Gojome, sustaining injuries to her face.

A 50-year-old woman who tried to help also sustained injuries to her left thigh.

Both individuals were conscious and able to communicate when transported to a hospital in Akita.

Bears had reportedly been sighted in the vicinity of the site as recently as November 8.

About 30 minutes later at around 6:30AM, an 83-year-old man was attacked by a bear at a residential property in the town of Misato.

It was reported that there were two bears.

The man was able to converse but sustained injuries to his face and is receiving treatment at a hospital in Akita as well.

As of the morning of November 9, 61 people have been injured in bear attacks within Akita Prefecture.

In Niigata Prefecture, also on the morning of November 9, a man in his 60’s was attacked by a bear on the grounds of a private residence in the city of Shibata.

According to police, shortly after 7:00AM, the man was attacked by a bear about 1 meter in length as he emerged from his home.

The bear had emerged from the adjacent thicket.

The man sustained injuries to his left side after being scratched, but his injuries were not life-threatening.

Bear Attack Victim: When it happened, I thought it must be a joke. As I gradually thought it through, I realised I'd narrowly escaped death.

This is the 16th person injured by a bear in Niigata Prefecture this season.