Police seal off the residential area in Sendai on April 19 after a bear was spotted on the grounds of an apartment complex. | JIJI

Bears are coming out of hibernation across Japan, and with one fatal incident already reported in April, local municipalities are warning residents to prepare in case of attack.

As of the end of April, one death caused by a bear was confirmed by the Environment Ministry, where a woman was found dead on April 21 in the town of Shiwa, Iwate Prefecture.

It was the first time in five years that a fatal bear attack was reported in April. Last year, the first death was reported in June.

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