The women were out picking mushrooms together with two other people when the bear went on the attack, reports local media.
The accident occurred on a mountain in the northern Miyagi prefecture.
Also in Nagano prefecture, a body has been found with claw marks, and there too a bear is suspected to be behind the death.
The bear population in the country has increased in recent years. According to the public service company NHK, 69 people have been attacked by bears between April and August this year, five have been killed.
