A bizarre emergency drill in Japan has gone viral after a man dressed as a bear staged a mock attack on a school, allowing hunters and emergency responders to practise dealing with increasingly frequent wildlife encounters.
The simulation took place in Yaita, where authorities organised the exercise amid growing concerns over a rise in bear sightings and attacks across the region.
Dressed entirely in black and wearing a bear mask, the volunteer moved on all fours around the school grounds, growling and behaving like a wild animal as part of the realistic training scenario.
The “bear” was seen approaching school buildings and livestock before being confronted by experienced hunters positioned behind protective barriers. Participants practised a range of response techniques, including the use of firearms, bear spray, smoke devices and firecrackers designed to deter aggressive animals.
In one dramatic segment of the drill, the costumed participant simulated an attack on a person, leaving the “victim” with fake injuries and blood-stained clothing to test emergency response procedures.
The exercise also included training on how to safely approach and handle a bear after it has been tranquillised or neutralised, as well as educating students and residents on what to do during a real wildlife emergency.
The man behind the bear costume, Kei Sato, said the experience was challenging due to limited visibility and the heat inside the outfit. However, he stressed that the drills were important given the growing number of bear encounters in the area.
Local hunter Fuminori Kimijima agreed, noting that bear sightings have become increasingly common and that communities must be prepared to respond quickly if dangerous situations arise.
Authorities in Tochigi Prefecture have recorded several bear-related incidents this year, while neighbouring regions have also experienced a series of alarming encounters involving the animals.
Just days earlier, more than 100 schools were reportedly forced to close after a bear was spotted roaming through Utsunomiya, triggering widespread safety concerns.
In another recent incident, a bear injured four people during a rampage in the Sasakino district of Fukushima. Security footage captured the animal chasing and attacking workers before moving into nearby residential areas, where additional victims were injured.
With bear encounters becoming more frequent across parts of Japan, authorities hope such drills will help residents, schools and emergency personnel react more effectively should a real attack occur.
