The bear problem is still a big deal in Japan, so it’s time to bring out the plastic bottles. The Japanese government suggested last week that children should carry empty plastic bottles to help keep bears away, saying the animals don’t like the sound of the bottles being crumpled. The advice came from the Ministry of Education and the Environment Ministry in a message sent to school boards across the country. The goal is to protect kids on their way to and from school as bear sightings and attacks continue to happen.
Schools were told to check and possibly change routes that kids walk, set up ways to communicate about bears, and add bear safety rules to their emergency plans. The attached safety manual suggested that if bears might be near school routes, schools should consider having parents drive kids, closing schools temporarily, or doing online classes. Other advice included not carrying food while walking to school and leaving the area if you see bear tracks.
Source: Mainichi
