Anna Hartz
Mount Fuji attracts thousands of climbers every year, but the mountain can be dangerous even during the busy summer season.
Weather can change quickly, the climb is demanding, and children can struggle with the conditions at high altitude.
Japanese police have warned a father after he left his seven-year-old son alone on Mount Fuji for several hours so he could continue climbing toward the summit.
The boy got tired
The boy was found alone on a hiking trail on Thursday and taken to a police station, according to a police officer in Japan’s Shizuoka region, reports Digi24.
The child had reportedly become tired during the climb and told his father he could not continue. The boy was on the sixth stage of the route, one of ten stages leading toward the summit, which stands more than 2,000 meters above sea level.
According to local television station SBS TV, the father decided to continue climbing with his other son. He told the seven-year-old to wait where he was.
The boy was apparently expected to stay there for around eight hours. He had some snacks with him but no money, Japanese broadcaster Asahi TV reported.
Staff at a mountain shelter later became concerned and contacted the police.
Officers then contacted the father, who was already on the eighth stage of the climb. He was told that his son had been found and later returned to collect him.
Police gave the father a warning over leaving the child alone in the mountains. A police officer told AFP that the man apologized and admitted that he had acted negligently.
No injuries reported
Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain and attracts large numbers of visitors during the official climbing season. The route is divided into several stations, with conditions becoming more difficult as climbers gain altitude.
Even experienced hikers can face fatigue, cold weather and sudden changes in conditions. For a seven-year-old child, being left alone for hours can create additional risks.
Police have not reported any injuries to the boy. He was reunited with his father after officers intervened.
The case serves as a reminder that climbing Mount Fuji requires careful planning and that young children need close supervision throughout the journey, especially when they become tired or are unable to continue.
