Editorial: New regulations for Mt. Fuji climbers should be an opportunity to improve safety

New restrictions and fees for climbers climbing Mount Fuji are set to come into effect this summer, with Japan’s highest peak set to open to visitors in July.

The trail on the Yamanashi Prefecture side will limit the number of climbers to 4,000 per day and will require a fee of 2,000 yen (about $12). A gate has been placed at the entrance to the trail and will be locked at night.

There are no restrictions on the number of climbers on the trails on the Shizuoka Prefecture side, but a special website has been launched that encourages visitors to familiarize themselves with climbing rules in advance and register their entry date.

In addition to chronic congestion on trails, climbers have also been demonstrating clearly dangerous behavior, prompting calls for increased safety measures. The new rules are expected to reduce crowds while allowing climbers to scale the iconic peak at their own pace. It is hoped that the rules will help curb reckless climbing and protect the natural environment of Mount Fuji.

Last season, about 220,000 people visited Mount Fuji, approaching pre-coronavirus levels. Congestion caused by large numbers of climbers trying to see the sunrise at the peak has always been a problem.

When people crowd so close together that they are unable to move, they expose themselves to dangers such as fall injuries, as well as hypothermia and altitude sickness from not being able to move freely.

Recently, the so-called “bullet climbers” who want to reach the peak in one night, as well as those who nap on the trails and people in casual clothes. Not only do they risk their own lives, but they also cause trouble for others around them.

The number of climbers in distress has also increased. Last year, 97 people required rescue on Mount Fuji, almost double the average number in the previous five years. On June 26, just before the trails opened, it was announced that four people had died on the mountain.

To avoid getting stranded on Mount Fuji, you need to understand the harsh conditions at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters above sea level, prepare the necessary equipment and plan a trip that does not require much physical exertion.

Another challenge is educating foreign visitors about mountain manners. There are many cases of them leaving trash or lighting fires, among other violations of the list of things they are not allowed to do. These actions could undermine the value of Mount Fuji as a world heritage site.

Last season, for just five days, the number of visitors at the entrance to the Yamanashi Prefecture Trail exceeded 4,000 people. We are unable to predict whether the new regulations will sufficiently reduce trail congestion.

People may be confused by measures that differ from those used on Shizuoka Prefecture’s trails. We call on the governments of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures to provide detailed explanations about the purpose of the regulations.

Mountaineering offers an opportunity to experience the wonders and terrifying dangers of the natural world. It is essential to examine the effects of regulations and to make efforts to create an environment that ensures the safety of the climber.