Make Reckless Mount Fuji Climbers Pay for Their Rescue

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Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures are considering charging for helicopter rescue services as a way to combat accidents on Mount Fuji. In separate press conferences, the governors of the two prefectures expressed their desire to work together on viable solutions to the problem of reckless climbers.

A recent series of accidents on Mount Fuji has involved off-season climbers lacking the necessary equipment and preparation. Reasonably considered, individuals who ignore warnings should cover at least part of the costs of their rescue. That is the only way to discourage reckless and off-season climbing of Japan’s highest mountain.

The two prefectures should move to make the fee a reality. In the process, they should discuss the areas it will cover and what share of the costs rogue climbers would be required to pay.

*Yamanashi Prefecture's fire and disaster prevention helicopter "Akafuji" is also used for rescues. (©Sankei by Hiroshi Watanabe)*

Repeated Trouble with Off-season Climbers

Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures began considering the matter after a Chinese university student got in trouble twice on Mount Fuji in April. The first time, he ignored that the mountain was not open for climbers. Then, when he found himself unable to move near the summit, he had to be rescued by a Yamanashi Prefecture disaster prevention helicopter.

Learning nothing from that experience, he was back on the mountain four days later. He later claimed he had returned to retrieve his smartphone and other personal items left behind on the summit during his earlier failed climb. This time, the Shizuoka Prefectural Police Mountain Rescue Team had to rescue him.

In May, two other Chinese men briefly found themselves unable to move, and rescue teams were activated. They eventually managed to get down the mountain under their own power. Even in June, there is an elevated risk of getting in trouble on Mount Fuji due to occasional snow and high winds. For this reason, the official period set for climbing to the summit is limited to between early July and early September. Outside of these periods, the hiking trails are closed.

Off-season rescue operations can also be dangerous. Not only do they require considerable effort and expense, but there is also the risk of secondary disasters due to wind gusts and other unexpected complications. The number of climbers showing a shocking lack of common sense and disdain for the rules has, therefore, triggered concern.

*In 2024's rehearsal for restrictions on climbing Mount Fuji, a guide in Yamanashi Prefecture asks lightly dressed visitors to abandon the climb. (©Sankei by Hirao Takashi)*

Deterring Risky, Offending Behavior

It is only natural that local governments would ask such offenders to pay for their rescues. If it costs people a reasonable amount if they get into trouble, they may think twice about such risky behavior.

Originally, mountain rescue operations by helicopter were generally conducted by the private sector on a commercial basis. For such rescues, the costs could range from hundreds of thousands to millions of JPY (thousands to hundreds of thousands of USD). Therefore, climbers were advised to obtain mountain climbing insurance before heading for the mountains.

However, after the Great Hanshin Earthquake (1995), local governments' use of disaster prevention and police helicopters became widespread. Since then, for the most part, rescues have been a public sector function.

In principle, taxpayers pay for such services, and they are free to those rescued. However, all too often these days, people request rescues that are not necessary.

Things have started to change in some parts of Japan. Saitama Prefecture, for example, implemented an ordinance in 2018 that requires the collection of a fuel charge. Initially, the charge was set at ¥5,000 JPY ($35 USD) for every five minutes of helicopter rescue operations in certain mountainous areas. That was raised to ¥8,000 ($56 ) for five minutes since April 2024. Such an approach might also work for Mount Fuji.

Besides introducing fees, it is also imperative that climber ethics improve. People who get in trouble in the mountains risk not just their own lives. They should bear in mind that their actions also put their rescuers in harm’s way.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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