Bear killed in Tokyo suburbs in 1st use of eased shooting rules in capital

TOKYO - An Asian black bear was killed Monday in western Tokyo after it was found caught in a trap, marking the first time relaxed rules on emergency shootings of dangerous animals have been applied in the Japanese capital since their introduction last year in response to a rise in bear attacks.

According to the Hachioji city government, Takao Police Station notified the local government at around 3:30 p.m. that a bear had been found caught in a snare in farmland in Otsumachi. The city mayor approved the emergency shooting, which was carried out about two hours later.