Fujiyoshida Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi said climbers who require rescue during Mount Fuji's closed season should personally bear the costs of those operations [1].
The proposal comes amid a rise in distress calls from hikers ignoring seasonal closures. By shifting the financial burden to the individual, city officials hope to deter reckless climbers from attempting the ascent when conditions are most dangerous [3].
During a regular press conference on Wednesday, Horiuchi said that while hikers can easily call for help using smartphones, the rescue teams face extreme risks to reach them [1]. He said that accidents continue to happen even to those who possess proper equipment [1].
"It is natural not to permit climbing during the closed period," Horiuchi said [2]. "The costs associated with rescue should be borne by the person who climbed recklessly" [2].
The mayor's comments highlight a growing tension between public safety and individual liability. Rescue teams are often deployed into life-threatening environments to save individuals who have bypassed official warnings, and closures [1].
Other experts have noted that discussions regarding the introduction of penalties for off-season climbing are also emerging alongside the debate over rescue fees [3]. This move would mark a shift in how Japan manages the safety and liability of its most famous landmark during the winter and spring months.
“The costs associated with rescue should be borne by the person who climbed recklessly.”
This proposal reflects a growing global trend toward 'user-pays' models for emergency services in high-risk tourism areas. By challenging the assumption that mountain rescue is a free public service, Fujiyoshida is attempting to use financial deterrence to reduce the physical risk to emergency responders and the fiscal strain on municipal budgets.
