"Manaslu Summit 2026" to be Held Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the First Ascent
The Japanese Alpine Club, Mainichi Shimbun, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host "Manaslu Summit 2026" on May 23, 2026, featuring legendary and modern mountaineers.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 18:47
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 10:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 10:08 (6 min after Collected)
The Japanese Alpine Club (President: Shiori Hashimoto), in collaboration with Mainichi Shimbun and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will hold "Manaslu Summit 2026" at Rissho University on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
On May 9, 1956, the Japanese Alpine Club team successfully made the first ascent of Manaslu (8,163m), the world's eighth-highest peak. This was Japan's first conquest of an 8,000m peak and was a historic achievement symbolizing Japan's post-war reconstruction, bringing great courage and an unprecedented mountaineering boom to Japan at the time.
Marking the 70th anniversary of the first ascent and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal, this summit will feature programs connecting the past, present, and future of mountain culture, from sessions exploring precious historical materials to talk sessions by leading mountaineers and photographers active today.
### Featured Sessions
1. **Pre-session (11:30–): What the Manaslu First Ascent Left for Japan**
Based on rare photos and primary sources from 1956, this session explores the impact of the first ascent on Japanese society and the mountaineering world.
Speakers: Atsushi Furuno (Former President, JAC), Hironori Taniyama (Writer)
2. **Talk Session (15:55–): Modern Pioneer Work**
How has the "pioneer spirit" that started at Manaslu evolved today? Panelists will discuss the essence of adventure through their activities.
Panelists:
- Naoki Ishikawa (Photographer): Providing insights from his experience photographing all 14 of the world's 8,000m peaks.
- Ryota Nomura (Mountaineer): Recipient of the Naomi Uemura Adventure Award, returning from an unclimbed peak on the day of the event.
- Taro Kameoka (Kyoto Univ. Graduate Student): A new generation representative who successfully skied the North Face of Mount Kashimayari.
Moderator: Sumiko Kashiwa (Vice President, JAC)
### Event Overview
- **Date**: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:30–17:00
- **Venue**: Rissho University Shinagawa Campus, Ishibashi Tanzan Memorial Auditorium, etc.
- **Organizers**: The Japanese Alpine Club, Mainichi Shimbun
- **Co-organizer**: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- **Registration**: Advance registration required via official website
- **Deadline**: Sunday, May 10, 2026
- **Official Site**: https://mainichi.jp/manaslu/summit/
On May 9, 1956, the Japanese Alpine Club team successfully made the first ascent of Manaslu (8,163m), the world's eighth-highest peak. This was Japan's first conquest of an 8,000m peak and was a historic achievement symbolizing Japan's post-war reconstruction, bringing great courage and an unprecedented mountaineering boom to Japan at the time.
Marking the 70th anniversary of the first ascent and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal, this summit will feature programs connecting the past, present, and future of mountain culture, from sessions exploring precious historical materials to talk sessions by leading mountaineers and photographers active today.
### Featured Sessions
1. **Pre-session (11:30–): What the Manaslu First Ascent Left for Japan**
Based on rare photos and primary sources from 1956, this session explores the impact of the first ascent on Japanese society and the mountaineering world.
Speakers: Atsushi Furuno (Former President, JAC), Hironori Taniyama (Writer)
2. **Talk Session (15:55–): Modern Pioneer Work**
How has the "pioneer spirit" that started at Manaslu evolved today? Panelists will discuss the essence of adventure through their activities.
Panelists:
- Naoki Ishikawa (Photographer): Providing insights from his experience photographing all 14 of the world's 8,000m peaks.
- Ryota Nomura (Mountaineer): Recipient of the Naomi Uemura Adventure Award, returning from an unclimbed peak on the day of the event.
- Taro Kameoka (Kyoto Univ. Graduate Student): A new generation representative who successfully skied the North Face of Mount Kashimayari.
Moderator: Sumiko Kashiwa (Vice President, JAC)
### Event Overview
- **Date**: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11:30–17:00
- **Venue**: Rissho University Shinagawa Campus, Ishibashi Tanzan Memorial Auditorium, etc.
- **Organizers**: The Japanese Alpine Club, Mainichi Shimbun
- **Co-organizer**: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- **Registration**: Advance registration required via official website
- **Deadline**: Sunday, May 10, 2026
- **Official Site**: https://mainichi.jp/manaslu/summit/