In the Japanese town of Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, a bear entered a house and tore an elderly woman to pieces, the Japan Today television channel reported.
The remains of 81-year-old Seiko Takahashi were discovered by her son. He found his mother torn apart in the living room and immediately called the police.
The woman's body had bear claw marks. In addition, investigators found tufts of hair and paw prints inside the house.
The same evening, eyewitnesses saw the predator near Takahashi's house. In addition, at least nine cases of bears breaking into houses and barns have been recorded in the area. They were looking for food and ate the rice they found.
Police officers set traps and urged residents not to go outside unless necessary.