JLPGA Women’s Golf Tournament Canceled July 17 After Bear Sighting; Kokonoe Sumo Camp in Hokkaido Also Canceled

A professional women's golf tournament scheduled to begin on July 17 in Miyagi Prefecture was canceled following a bear sighting on the course. This marks the second time in two months that a bear has interrupted play at a JLPGA Tour event. Authorities, including police and hunting associations, are patrolling the course to investigate bear activity and will decide on resuming competition after July 18 based on their findings. The cancellation comes amid a series of bear-related incidents in northern Japan, including repeated reports of bears scavenging through garbage in Hokkaido. Additionally, the summer training camp of the Kokonoe sumo stable in Fukushima Town, Hokkaido, was also canceled due to a bear warning issued after multiple bear sightings in the area.