Utsunomiya city officials kept municipal elementary and middle schools closed Wednesday after animal control captured a bear in a residential yard [1].
The closures reflect a heightened state of alert in Tochigi Prefecture. Local authorities fear that multiple bears may be roaming the urban area, posing a significant risk to students and residents during their daily commutes.
Zoo staff and animal control officers captured the bear on June 9, 2026 [1]. The animal was apprehended in the Higashi-Yanase area of Utsunomiya City around 3:30 p.m. [1]. The capture followed a surge of wildlife activity that began earlier this month.
City records indicate that officials received at least 20 reports of bear sightings since June 6 [1]. This frequency of sightings prompted municipal school officials to implement emergency closures to ensure student safety. Despite the successful capture of one animal on Tuesday, the city decided to maintain the school closures through June 10, 2026 [1].
The Higashi-Yanase neighborhood is a residential zone where the presence of a large predator creates an immediate public safety hazard. Animal control teams worked to secure the bear and remove it from the property to prevent further encounters with homeowners.
Local officials said the decision to keep schools closed was a precaution based on the possibility that the captured bear was not alone. The city continues to monitor the area for further sightings as it coordinates with zoo staff to manage the wildlife threat.
“Utsunomiya city officials kept municipal elementary and middle schools closed Wednesday”
The decision to maintain school closures despite the capture of a bear suggests that Utsunomiya officials are prioritizing a 'worst-case scenario' approach to public safety. By treating the 20 sightings as evidence of a potential group of bears rather than a single wandering animal, the city is attempting to mitigate the risk of an unexpected encounter in high-traffic school zones.
