TOKYO, Nov 3, (Xinhua): Two men were injured in separate bear attacks in Japan's Akita Prefecture as bear encounters increased sharply across the region, according to local police. In Akita City, a 65-year-old man was attacked around 5:30 a.m. local time on Sunday in the yard of his home. Police said two bears were spotted at the scene.

The victim was taken to a hospital with injuries but remains conscious and able to communicate. In Daisen City, another attack occurred around 7:00 a.m. local time on Sunday when an 83-year-old man was mauled while walking in a forested area in Jinguji. He sustained injuries but is conscious and in stable condition, according to police.

As of early November, three people have died and more than 50 have been injured in bear-related incidents in Akita. The prefectural government has issued a warning for the entire region, urging residents to stay alert and avoid mountain areas where bears are likely to appear.