Reckless Off-Season Mount Fuji Climbers Prompt Call for Rescue Fees
The move follows a recent incident on April 26 involving a 27-year-old Chinese university student living in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. The student attempted to climb Mount Fuji during the off-season and needed to be rescued — twice in just a few days.
On April 22, he was first rescued near the summit after losing his crampons and experiencing nausea, rendering him unable to descend. A helicopter dispatched by Yamanashi Prefecture flew him to safety.
He then returned to the mountain four days later to retrieve a phone and other personal items he had left behind, only to report falling ill again. Due to poor weather, a helicopter could not be deployed.
Instead, a Shizuoka Prefectural Police mountain rescue team climbed on foot. The team carried him on a stretcher from the 8th station to the 5th station, where he was handed over to emergency services.
Both climbs took place outside Mount Fuji's official season, which begins on July 1 on the Yamanashi side and July 10 on the Shizuoka side. Both prefectures strongly advise against off-season climbing due to hazardous conditions. Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi of Fujiyoshida City speaks at a press conference on May 13 about the need to introduce fees for rescue operations during Mount Fuji's winter closure period. (©Sankei by Takashi Hirao)
At a press conference on May 13, Mayor Horiuchi stated, "Mount Fuji in winter is extremely dangerous, and rescue teams face significant risk."
He added, "Helicopter rescues are also very expensive. During the off-season, we need a system that charges for rescue operations."
His call was echoed on social media by Japanese mountaineer Ken Noguchi, who posted on X: "The rescue team saved this man's life, but his mentality is beyond saving. Utterly foolish. He should be charged for the cost of the rescue."
Mayor Hidetada Sudo of Fujinomiya City in Shizuoka Prefecture, another gateway to Mount Fuji, also voiced support: "The person rescued should bear the cost," he said, referring specifically to off-season rescues.
These incidents are not isolated. Other climbers have also required rescue on Mount Fuji during the closed season.
Mayor Horiuchi noted that he had previously asked the national government to impose entry restrictions during the off-season, but was told it would be legally difficult. As an alternative, he believes charging for rescues could serve as an effective deterrent.
Horiuchi acknowledged that calculating the exact cost of a rescue is complicated. However, he noted that helicopter missions typically cost between ¥600,000 JPY (about $4,200 USD) and ¥800,000 JPY ($5,600 USD). He suggested fixed charges, somewhere between ¥200,000 ($1,400) and ¥500,000 ($3,500) for rescues involving helicopters.
The issue extends beyond Mount Fuji. On May 13, a man and a woman from the United Kingdom were rescued by helicopter after getting lost on Mount Yotei in Hokkaido. The 1,898-meter peak still had winter-like conditions in May, and the pair was not properly equipped. When rescued, the man was wearing a jumper and shorts, while the woman wore a short-sleeved shirt and long pants. Mount Yotei in May 2025. (©Sankei by Kenta Shiraiwa)
The man, who had nine years of climbing experience, called emergency services around 6:10 PM, saying they couldn't make it to a shelter due to the cold.
About an hour later, a police helicopter located the pair near the 9th station (1,717 meters) and rescued them. The woman complained of feeling cold and was taken to a hospital, but her symptoms were mild and she did not require treatment.
In 2024, 16 people were reported lost on Mount Yotei, six of whom were foreign nationals. Chinese climbers accounted for the highest number of cases at three.
Hokkaido Police issued a reminder: "High-altitude mountains in Hokkaido in May have conditions similar to winter mountains in Honshu. We urge climbers to prepare thoroughly and submit a climbing plan."
They also advised bringing winter gear, GPS-enabled communication devices, and emergency food.
When asked about the cost of the Mount Yotei rescue, police said they do not seek reimbursement and do not calculate the cost. They declined to comment on the broader movement by local governments to charge reckless climbers for rescue.
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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