Bear enters store in Japan’s Akita prefecture; staff tranquilise and cull animal

NOSHIRO, Akita — A bear entered the Aeon Noshiro Store in Noshiro, Akita prefecture, on Nov 16 morning.

According to the Noshiro Police Station, a staffer at the store called police at about 11.20am (10.20am) to report the bear’s entry.

Aeon employees lowered the shutters on the first-floor furniture section and trapped the 80cm-long bear inside.

Prefectural staff later tranquilized the bear with a blow dart and culled it. Employees and shoppers were evacuated, and no one was injured, police said.

The store is located about 750m north-west of JR Noshiro Station in the city center where the city hall and schools are concentrated. JAPAN NEWS/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK