Japan begins installing hundreds of camera traps in its northern mountain areas to monitor bears, following an increase in attacks, officials say. The effort is part of a nationwide survey of the bear population after a spike in maulings. According to reports, the fatalities are concentrated in Japan’s Tohoku region in the north. Japan Times and Vancouver Sun report that bears kill at least five people since April 1, all in Tohoku. Vancouver Sun also cites Japan’s environment ministry, saying the previous fiscal year included a record 13 fatal bear attacks across the country. Phys.org similarly describes the deployment of hundreds of cameras in northern mountains and links it to the recent surge in maulings, quoting an official who describes the cameras as part of the bear-population survey. The reports agree that the camera deployment is intended to better track bears and inform public safety responses as authorities respond to the rising number of deadly incidents.