Son Arrested After Father’s Death in Japan Initially Blamed on Bear Attack
Japanese police have revealed that a 93-year-old man, originally thought to have been killed by a bear, was actually murdered—allegedly by his own son.
The incident occurred in the northern Akita prefecture, where 51-year-old Fujiyuki Shindo was arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing his father, Fujiyoshi Shindo.
At first, authorities believed the elderly man had been the victim of a bear attack. His wife found him collapsed and bleeding at home, prompting police to issue a bear warning to local residents. However, the alert was later retracted after forensic investigators determined that the wounds were consistent with a knife attack—not an animal mauling.
According to Kyodo News, Shindo initially told police that he hadn’t noticed anything unusual at the time of the incident. But as investigators searched the home, they reportedly found several knives and began treating the case as a homicide.
No official motive has been released yet, and police are continuing to examine the evidence.
Rise in Bear Attacks in Japan
This tragic case gained attention partly because of Japan’s growing concerns about bear encounters. In recent years, bear sightings and attacks have surged, particularly in rural areas like Akita, where aging populations and abandoned farmland have allowed bears to venture closer to towns and homes.
Between March 2023 and March 2024, a record 219 people were attacked by bears in Japan, with six fatalities, according to the Environment Ministry. Just last month, a newspaper deliveryman was killed by a brown bear in a residential area.
In response, authorities have loosened hunting regulations to allow for more aggressive bear control measures. Thousands of bears have already been culled in recent years to reduce the risk to humans.