France, Dec. 6 -- Japan has seen the starkest rise in attacks. Seven people were killed in October and authorities counted 88 incidents that month. With 13 deaths so far this year, the country has reported its highest number of bear-related fatalities on record.

In the country's northern Akita province, officials have called in the army in an attempt to manage the situation.

"It is surprising. Attacks happen from time to time in Japan, but it is getting worse lately. What also surprises us is that we do not know all the factors behind this rise in attacks," David Garshelis, vice president of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Bear Specialist Group, told RFI.

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