Bear in Japanese city forces authorities to suspend all schools

The Japanese city of Utsunomiya has suspended all 94 of the primary and middle schools ​that it operates on Monday after its ‌first-ever bear sighting, Reuters writes.

The city of half-a-million residents about 100 km (60 miles) north of Tokyo said ​the bear was first seen in a residential ​area near a park on Saturday evening. It ⁠remains at large after the last sighting early ​Monday morning about half a kilometre from a ​middle school.

Bear attacks, including in urban areas, have been on the rise in Japan, prompting the government to set up a ​task force this year to reduce casualties.