TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The U.S. government has warned its citizens who are in Japan to avoid areas in Hokkaido and the country's northeast where bears have been spotted or attacks have occurred.

The warning comes after bear footprints were found inside a public zoo near the U.S. Consulate General in Sapporo. Police said a man in his 50s walking on a road near the zoo also spotted an animal resembling a bear.

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, in a post on X and a related alert Wednesday, said bear sightings and attacks have increased "especially in municipalities close to or adjacent to populated zones," and warned Americans to "avoid affected areas, remain aware of your surroundings and report sightings to local authorities."

In the wildlife alert, the embassy urged Americans to exercise caution while in affected areas in Hokkaido, including Sapporo, as well as Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region, where several deadly bear attacks have occurred this year.

Noting a recent bear sighting that prompted Maruyama Park, which includes the zoo, to close for two weeks through Nov. 24, the embassy also encouraged all visitors to the Sapporo consulate to be "diligent" and remain alert.