Japanese authorities confirmed Friday the first fatal bear attack of 2026, in which a 55-year-old woman died on April 21 in Iwate Prefecture, according to media reports. | GETTY IMAGES

Japanese authorities confirmed Friday the first fatal bear attack of 2026, with media reports saying police were also investigating two other possible cases.

The victim, reportedly a 55-year-old woman, died on April 21 in Iwate Prefecture, an environment ministry official said.

Media reports said police were investigating two other deaths potentially caused by bears.

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