Japanese Mayors Seek Rescue Fees for Off-Season Mount Fuji Hikers

Mayors of towns near Mount Fuji, including Fujinomiya and Fujiyoshida, have called for new regulations requiring off-season hikers who need rescue to pay for the costs themselves, citing repeated incidents of reckless climbing that endanger lives and burden taxpayers. The climbing season officially runs from mid-summer to early fall, but many disregard warnings and attempt climbs in the off-season, necessitating costly rescue operations, sometimes multiple times for the same individuals. The mayors emphasized that hikers bear responsibility for their actions, noting that rescue missions can cost up to ¥500,000 per hour and that some hikers treat rescue calls as casually as taxi requests. Recent incidents include a Chinese university student rescued twice within five days after returning to look for a lost phone. While acknowledging the value of every life, officials argue that charging for rescues would deter dangerous off-season hikes. The Shizuoka governor suggested the central government should review the issue of rescue costs to find an appropriate resolution.