A woman in northern Japan has died after being attacked by a bear while picking mushrooms and another was missing, police and local media said on Saturday. "A woman was confirmed dead and another is still missing," a police official in northern Miyagi region said. Public broadcaster NHK reported that police believed she was attacked by the animal based on injuries to her body. Last month, Japan eased gun rules making it easier for hunters to use rifles in built-up areas following a rise in bear attacks. Government data shows bears attacked 85 people in the year ending March 2025, with three fatalities.