From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Read more
Billy Halloran, a runner from New Zealand, narrowly survived a bear attack in the Myoko forests of Japan earlier this month.
Mr Halloran, 32, who frequently jogs and hikes in the wooded area – and has even run ultramarathons there – encountered two Asiatic black bears while on a trail in Niigata prefecture.
As he cautiously stepped back, one of the bears advanced towards him. “It was around my size, it was an adult, it was at least 60 or 70 kilos,” he told CNN.
The attack left Halloran with severe injuries to an arm and leg. “I could see it was going to lunge at me – and it did.”
When he held up his arm in front of his face to shield himself, the bear grabbed it and “I got pushed to the ground”, he recollected. “Then in one bite, my arm was done.”
The bear also clawed his leg before retreating into the woods. “I was screaming a lot, in fight or flight, thinking, ‘This is it,’” he told Radio New Zealand.
His leg was bleeding and his arm was “fully snapped”, hanging at an unnatural angle and held together only by his rain jacket, according to the outlet.
In spite of the pain, Mr Halloran ran nearly a kilometre to meet his wife and wait for an ambulance.
open image in gallery
Photo released on 7 October 2025 by Gunma Prefectural Police via Jiji Press shows a bear walking inside a supermarket in Numata (GUNMA PREFECTURAL POLICE VIA JIJ)
Since the attack in early October, Mr Halloran has had three surgeries, including a hip graft to replace bone bitten off by the bear and the insertion of metal plates in his arm.
He hopes to be discharged by late October.
“I haven’t been brave enough to look at it yet,” he told Radio New Zealand, referring to his arm. “It’s hard to think back on that moment.”
Japan has seen a surge in bear attacks this year that have left over 100 people injured and at least seven killed, the highest figures since record-keeping began in 2006.
Last week, a black bear wandered into a supermarket in Gunma prefecture’s Numata city and attacked two men, while another swiped at a Spanish tourist waiting at a bus stop in Shirakawa-go in Gifu prefecture.
According to some experts, bear attacks usually rise in autumn before hibernation, but climate change and a shortage of their usual beech nut food may be pushing them into towns.
open image in gallery
A bear wandered into a supermarket in central Japan on 7 October 2025 and injured two men (GUNMA PREFECTURAL POLICE VIA JIJ)
According to The Japan Times, a woman in her 70s was killed earlier this month by a bear while foraging for mushrooms in a forest in Miyagi prefecture. Another woman who was with her remains missing and police continue to search for her.
A bear was found prowling the parking lot and lodging areas of Fukushima prefecture’s Iizaka hot springs resort for 10 hours earlier last week, bringing business to a standstill, before disappearing.
Although no injuries were reported, residents were told not to go out unless necessary.
Authorities have announced tougher measures to curb the bear population, while residents have started taking precautions, including carrying bells or blasting loud music.
“There’s been a lot of attacks,” Mr Halloran said, “and some people haven’t been so lucky.”
“I’m feeling pretty grateful and pretty lucky to have gotten away from the situation, especially given the number of instances where people haven’t.”