THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
June 27, 2024 at 14:27 JST
A view of majestic Mount Fuji from Shizuoka Prefecture (Eishi Omi)
Four people were found dead on Mount Fuji on June 26, days before the official climbing season starts on Japan’s highest peak, police said.
Three of the bodies were discovered in separate locations near the crater of the mountain, Shizuoka prefectural police said.
One of them is believed to be a man in his 50s from Hino, western Tokyo. A search operation started on June 23 after his family reported him missing from a hike on the 3,776-meter summit.
The Hino man is believed to have been climbing alone and unrelated to the two others found.
In a separate incident, Keita Kurakami, a 38-year-old professional rock climber, died after falling ill and losing consciousness around 11 a.m. at the 8th station of the mountain on June 26.
His companion called emergency services.
Kurakami, from Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, and his friend began their climb at 6 a.m.
Mount Fuji’s official climbing season starts on July 1. Climbing trails and mountain huts are currently closed.
Due to safety concerns, local authorities have warned against climbing the mountain during the off-season. Those considered not fully prepared are prohibited from climbing before the season opens.
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