A brown bear was spotted on the runway of Hanamaki Airport, Japan, causing flight suspensions. Authorities are mobilizing forces to manage bear attacks.

On November 12, an unusual incident occurred at Hanamaki Airport in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, when a small brown bear was spotted running on the runway as a plane was landing. Local authorities suspended flights for over an hour, and security cameras captured the moment. Although police and airport staff checked the area, the bear was not found, and airport activities returned to normal. This incident adds to a series of encounters with bears in Japan, where nearly 60,000 bears live.

In 2025, 13 people died due to bear attacks, which led to the mobilization of the army and police to protect the population. Authorities revised regulations to allow police to use firearms against bears. Campaigns focus on areas with frequent attacks, and preventive measures are implemented to keep bears from entering populated areas. Food shortages and rural depopulation contribute to the expansion of bear territory into urban areas.