Bear weighing 100 kg captured after 4 days of sightings in city north of Tokyo

A bear weighing approximately 100 kg was cornered and sedated in a city north of Tokyo on Tuesday, after four days of repeated sightings that led local authorities to close schools to protect children.

Local officials said authorities surrounded the bear in a residential area and used tranquilizers to subdue it. The incident followed days of residents reporting the bear wandering near schools and residential zones.

As a precaution, the government decided to close several schools in the area, asking students to stay home until the situation was under control. The bear has been taken to a veterinary facility for health checks and will later be released into an appropriate natural environment.