Climber Rescued Twice from Mount Fuji in One Week
CNN — Authorities in Japan have rescued a 27-year-old climber from Mount Fuji on two separate occasions within a week. The individual, a Chinese college student residing in Japan, was first rescued on Tuesday after suffering from altitude sickness at the summit of the iconic mountain, which stands at 3,776 meters (12,388 feet). Despite his initial emergency, he returned on Saturday to retrieve belongings, including a cell phone, but fell ill again at an altitude of over 3,000 meters (9,842 feet). Fortunately, police reported that his life remains out of danger.
The climber made both ascents outside the official climbing season, which runs from July 10 to September 10. During this off-peak period, all trails are closed, and essential amenities such as huts and toilets are unavailable, raising concerns for safety among climbers.
In light of increasing visitor numbers, officials from Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures have announced new regulations ahead of the 2025 climbing season. New measures include a climbing permit fee of 4,000 yen ($28) and an online booking system restricting the daily number of climbers to 4,000. This fee reflects a significant increase from the previous year’s “tourist tax.”
Governor Koutaro Nagasaki emphasized the importance of promoting safety measures to protect Mount Fuji for future generations. Increased crowding is not the only issue; many climbers have faced medical emergencies due to improper gear, prompting Shizuoka officials to implement mandatory safety classes and a brief test for prospective hikers. New timing restrictions will also require the mountain to be closed from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m. for all but overnight guests in huts, enhancing safety further for all climbers.
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