Mount Fuji Winter Climbing Debate: Total Ban vs. Enhanced Management

(Central News Agency, reporter Dai Yazhen, Tokyo, 7th) During the winter closure period of Japan's Mount Fuji, climbing slip and mountain accident incidents have occurred frequently in recent years. A local mayor has called for the establishment of regulations to ban climbing. However, on the other hand, some in the mountaineering community believe that 'blocking is not as good as guiding,' arguing that winter Mount Fuji is an important training ground for high-altitude climbers. They have therefore launched a petition, calling for society to understand the significance of climbing during the closure period and engaging in dialogue with nature. According to the Asahi Shimbun, Shizuoka Prefecture's Fujinomiya City Mayor Hidetada Sudo recently called for the establishment of regulations banning climbing during the closure period. He held a press conference in April, stating that the winter environment on Mount Fuji is extremely dangerous and urging people not to climb. In May, he again emphasized that climbing Mount Fuji during the closure period is an 'illegal' act, saying, 'I strongly, strongly urge everyone not to do so.' Currently, the Fujinomiya City Fire Department is responsible for mountain rescue operations. Sudo argues that rescue services during the closure period should be changed to a fee-based system, and relevant regulations banning climbing should be established. In addition to Fujinomiya City, local leaders around Mount Fuji have also begun to argue that the cost of mountain rescue should be borne by the victims. Yamanashi Prefecture's Fujiyoshida City Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi believes that rescue costs should not be borne by taxpayers. At the request of local governments, Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures are continuously studying a fee-based mechanism for disaster prevention helicopter rescues. The main climbing season for Mount Fuji is from July to early September each year. During the rest of the year, the four main climbing trails are closed under the 'Road Law,' and violators can face up to six months' imprisonment or a fine of up to 300,000 yen. However, even though winter temperatures can drop below minus 20 degrees Celsius, accompanied by strong winds of over 30 meters per second, many climbers still choose to challenge Mount Fuji in winter. For high-altitude climbers, the snow-covered Mount Fuji is an irreplaceable training ground. Takeyoshi Suzuki, a 31-year-old mountain video creator and mountaineer, recently launched a petition against a total ban on climbing. Suzuki says he has long experienced the different faces of Mount Fuji through climbing and believes that 'the act of climbers engaging in dialogue with nature, provided they are fully prepared and assume responsibility for the risks, should be respected.' He believes that most mountain accidents are caused by insufficient preparation or information, and in recent years, the number of cases involving foreign climbers has been increasing. However, he argues that the essence of the problem is not 'winter climbing itself,' but rather that correct knowledge and risk information are not being adequately communicated. He expresses deep concern about trying to solve the problem with extreme measures like a total ban. He advocates for measures such as mandatory submission of climbing plans, the establishment of a pre-climb briefing system, and clear regulations on mountain rescue costs, rather than a total ban. He argues that a unilateral ban cannot fundamentally solve the problem and may instead lead to a decline in climbing culture and undue restrictions on personal freedom. Suzuki launched the petition on Change.org, opposing the 'total ban on climbing outside the summer climbing season' system promoted by Fujinomiya City Mayor Hidetada Sudo. As of June 7, the petition had garnered approximately 4,500 supporters. Suzuki says that recent mountain accidents have sparked social criticism of climbers, but he does not support reckless adventures undertaken without preparation. He believes that society should understand that climbing activities that involve challenging harsh natural environments with full training and preparation also have value and significance. (Editor: Chen Huiping) 1150607