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The "Kuma Log Aomori" platform, where sightings of 300 bears were reported, is seen in this photo. (Courtesy of the Aomori Prefectural Government website)

AOMORI -- The Aomori Prefectural Government in northern Japan announced on May 19 that it has upgraded a platform where citizens can immediately share bear sighting information to curb false reports. Reports surged after a bear was culled in the central city of Aomori on May 15.

The upgrade of the "Kuma Log Aomori" system now requires users to enter their phone number when reporting a sighting and includes a note urging people to contact municipal offices or police in emergencies, according to the prefecture.

Operation of the system only began in April. Bear sightings reported by residents are displayed on a map on smartphones and computers, and details of the date, time and circumstances will be shown when users click on the markers. Schools are asking parents to escort their children to and from school based on the information.

The automatic door at the entrance of Aomori City Hall was switched to be manually opened or closed to prevent bears from entering, in the city of Aomori, May 18, 2026. (Mainichi/Junko Adachi)
The automatic door at the entrance of Aomori City Hall was switched to be manually opened or closed to prevent bears from entering, in the city of Aomori, May 18, 2026. (Mainichi/Junko Adachi)

According to the Aomori Municipal Government, 133 sightings were reported to Kuma Log within three days since May 15 in the city alone. These included numerous inappropriate reports, such as someone claiming to have seen 300 bears, and "There were two in my class."

On May 19, Gov. Soichiro Miyashita posted on X that suspicious individuals had been identified and were reported to the prefectural police, warning, "The prefecture will continue to respond firmly to those who maliciously cause confusion."

(Japanese original by Shuichi Kanzaki and Junko Adachi, Aomori Bureau)