Photo/Illutration The house in Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, where the attack occurred（Erina Ito)

KITAKAMI, Iwate Prefecture―An 81-year-old woman was killed in a suspected bear attack in her living room here on July 4, according to police. 

Seiko Takahashi was found lying in a pool of blood in the center of the room at around 7:40 a.m. by her son, who was visiting.

He called for emergency assistance but the woman was confirmed dead.

According to police, Takahashi was wearing her usual clothing and had suffered multiple injuries, including those believed to have been caused by animal claws, on her head and throughout her body.

Multiple footprints believed to be from a bear were found inside the house, and police are investigating the possibility that she was attacked by the animal.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Takahashi lived alone and her son had been visiting her regularly.

The house is located in a rural area with rice fields.

According to the police, bear sightings have sharply increased in the area since May, with 10 incidents of bears entering homes, including this one, reported since June 3.

Bears have been reported eating rice stored in homes and sheds, as well as entering garages and greenhouses.

(This article was written by Tatsuro Sakata, Yoshikazu Sato and Erina Ito.) 

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