(MENAFN) Japan experienced a sharp surge in bear attacks last month, with the Environment Ministry reporting on Monday that 88 people were targeted in October, seven of whom died—both figures setting monthly records.

The ministry said the total number of bear attack victims for the first seven months of the year reached 196, marking the highest count over the same period in five years and including 12 fatalities.

By prefecture, Akita recorded the largest number of victims from April through October, with 56 people affected, followed by 34 in Iwate and 20 in Fukushima, according to the ministry.

In Akita alone, 37 attacks occurred in October, resulting in two deaths.

In response to the rising threat of bears entering human communities, the Japanese government on Friday announced strengthened countermeasures. These include providing financial and logistical support to help municipalities hire licensed hunters.

Amid a nationwide shortage of skilled hunters, amended regulations also took effect on Thursday, allowing police officers to use rifles to kill bears.

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