Diagnosed With a Fractured Rib, Four Weeks of Recovery Needed
Fortunately, His Life Is Not in Danger
This year in Japan, bear sightings have surged to record levels, emerging as a major social issue. As bear encounters continue to increase in the northern regions of Japan, raising anxiety among residents, the story of a chef who continued cooking despite being injured by a bear that attacked a ramen shop has become a hot topic. On the 25th (local time), local Japanese media outlets such as Aomori TV (ATV) and TV Asahi reported on a near-fatal incident involving a 57-year-old employee at a ramen restaurant in Aomori Prefecture, Honshu, Japan, who came face-to-face with a bear and narrowly escaped with his life.
A ramen shop employee in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, became a topic of interest after preparing to open the store even after being attacked by a bear. Photo by Aomori TV
Around 5 a.m. that day, as he arrived at the shop for work, he unexpectedly encountered a bear cub. While preparing ingredients, the employee was deeply scratched on the face by the charging bear. He then used the judo technique 'Osotogari' to throw the bear and drive it away. Osotogari is a signature judo throw in which the opponent's outer leg is swept, causing them to fall backward. It is known as a relatively easy technique for beginners to learn, as it involves breaking the opponent's balance and using one's body weight to topple them.
After the bear ran off into the mountains, the employee, with blood streaming down his face, reportedly resumed boiling broth, saying, "I have to keep the business running." When the owner arrived and saw the employee injured, he immediately urged him to go to the hospital. At the hospital, the employee received stitches for a 10-centimeter wound and was diagnosed with a fractured rib, requiring four weeks of recovery. Fortunately, his life was not in danger. The story drew even more attention as it was revealed that the employee had no martial arts experience whatsoever.
Record-Breaking Surge in Bear Sightings... Seven Deaths in October Alone
After the incident became known, local social media was abuzz with comments such as, "His work ethic is truly admirable," and "If he had caught the bear, he might have used it as ramen ingredients." On the other hand, some expressed concern, saying, "He survived because he was lucky. No one should try to imitate this," and "It was fortunate that the bear had no intention to attack further." Experts also warned, "It is never recommended to attack or try to subdue a bear." The ramen shop is currently either temporarily closed or preparing to install a fence to prevent bear intrusions. In an interview with local media, the shop owner said, "It could have been even more dangerous since there's a kindergarten right next door," adding, "With bear sightings becoming more frequent, the entire community is on edge."
From April to October, 196 people were killed or injured by bears, marking the highest number since statistics began. In particular, there were 88 incidents and seven deaths in October alone, with most of the damage concentrated in the northeastern region. Amid the increasing number of bear sightings, actual incidents of bears breaking into ramen shops have recently occurred in succession, adding to the shock.
One of the main reasons for the frequent bear sightings this year is a combination of factors: a decrease in the harvest of acorns and beech nuts, which are staple foods for bears; climate change; and the weakening of boundaries between mountains and residential areas due to rural population decline. In response, the Japanese government and local authorities are stepping up countermeasures, such as deploying Self-Defense Forces and riot police in some areas to assist with capture operations, installing more traps and protective fences around farms, and issuing alerts.
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