Japan's government will send bear experts to municipalities to advise on ways to prevent the animal's attacks, which have been increasing across the country.

Officials from related ministries and agencies, as well as bear experts, attended an emergency meeting on Tuesday.

The Environment Ministry said the number of people nationwide who were hurt by bears between April and September this year reached 109, marking a record high.

It also said bear attacks have been reported in October mainly in northeastern Japan, and that caution is needed until bears begin hibernating in December.

The ministry disclosed that it decided to send experts such as university professors to municipalities to advise them on bear attacks.

Tokyo University of Agriculture Professor Yamazaki Koji said bears are entering residential areas probably because they do not fear humans due to a decrease in the number of hunters. He also cited a shortage of food including beechnuts in autumn of last year and this year as a reason for triggering the attacks.

Yamazaki said measures are needed, including electric fences, to prevent bears from entering areas where people live.

On Tuesday, two women in their 70s and 30s were injured when they were attacked by a bear on the premises of their home in Toyama City, central Japan.