Robot wolf to scare away bears

Robot wolf to scare away bears

Yuji Ota, president of precision machining company Ohta Seiki, shows off in Naie in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 13, 2025, the Monster Wolf robot, which emits LED light and loud sounds to scare off wild animals when its infrared sensor activates. The company, based in the Hokkaido town, developed the tool amid a spate of bear attacks on humans, some fatal, across Japan this year.

Robot wolf to scare away bears

Robot wolf to scare away bears

Photo taken in Naie in Hokkaido, northern Japan, on Nov. 13, 2025, shows the Monster Wolf robot, which emits LED light and loud sounds to scare off wild animals when its infrared sensor activates. Precision machining company Ohta Seiki, based in the Hokkaido town, developed the tool amid a spate of bear attacks on humans, some fatal, across Japan this year.

Coal production in high demand for Hokkaido thermal plants

Coal production in high demand for Hokkaido thermal plants

SAPPORO, Japan - Photo taken in February 2012 shows facilities at Naie thermal power plant of Hokkaido Electric Power Co. in the town of Naie, Hokkaido. Coal produced in the Ishikari coal field in central Hokkaido is being carried there in much greater quantities than previously amid rising demand for coal-fired power plants in the prefecture due to the suspension of nuclear reactors.

Dog awarded for keeping man, girl warm

Dog awarded for keeping man, girl warm

SAPPORO, Japan - Asako Soma (R) receives an award certificate on behalf of Junior (L), a 7-year-old male Labrador Retriever, in the town of Naie, Hokkaido, on Nov. 24, 2011. The town government honored the dog for keeping his 81-year-old owner Yoshimasa Soma, husband of Asako, and the man's 3-year-old granddaughter Sukai Kimura warm in an overturned car during a freezing night.

Coal production in high demand for Hokkaido thermal plants

Coal production in high demand for Hokkaido thermal plants

SAPPORO, Japan - Photo taken in February 2012 shows facilities at Naie thermal power plant of Hokkaido Electric Power Co. in the town of Naie, Hokkaido. Coal produced in the Ishikari coal field in central Hokkaido is being carried there in much greater quantities than previously amid rising demand for coal-fired power plants in the prefecture due to the suspension of nuclear reactors. (Kyodo)

Dog awarded for keeping man, girl warm

Dog awarded for keeping man, girl warm

SAPPORO, Japan - Asako Soma (R) receives an award certificate on behalf of Junior (L), a 7-year-old male Labrador Retriever, in the town of Naie, Hokkaido, on Nov. 24, 2011. The town government honored the dog for keeping his 81-year-old owner Yoshimasa Soma, husband of Asako, and the man's 3-year-old granddaughter Sukai Kimura warm in an overturned car during a freezing night. (Kyodo)