(MENAFN) A bear that wandered into a shopping center in Japan's northeastern Akita prefecture on Sunday was killed by authorities, Japanese media reported.

Staff at the mall quickly barricaded the animal after it entered during active shopping hours, then waited for officials to arrive.

All shoppers inside the Aeon Noshiro Mall were safely evacuated from the premises.

Authorities located the bear near the first-floor furniture section and sedated it with a tranquilizer dart before killing it by electric shock more than two hours after the initial sighting.

Police sealed off the mall's entrances and imposed traffic restrictions in the surrounding area until the animal was neutralized. The shopping center remained shuttered for the remainder of the day.

Since April, at least 13 people have lost their lives and more than 100 others have suffered injuries in bear attacks across Japan, according to the Environment Ministry.

Earlier this month, military personnel were deployed to address the escalating bear attacks plaguing the country's northeastern region.

New legislation passed by the government in September allowing police officers "to use rifles to kill bears" became effective on Thursday.

MENAFN17112025000045017169ID1110352180