A 27-year-old Chinese university student living in Japan required rescue from Mount Fuji twice within four days last week. The student was first saved on April 22, 2025, after suffering from altitude sickness and equipment failure during an off-season climb. Astonishingly, he returned to the mountain on April 26 to retrieve his mobile phone left behind during the initial rescue, only to need emergency assistance again.
This has sparked universal debate regarding climber responsibility, utilization of rescue resources, and risks involved in attempting to climb Japan’s famous mountain when climbing is not officially allowed.
The unidentified student first tried to scale Mount Fuji on April 22, even though the mountain was officially closed to hikers until early July. Near 9,800 feet (3,000 meters) on the Fujinomiya route, he suffered from altitude sickness, a condition brought about by lower oxygen levels at high elevations. He lost his crampons, a device needed to traverse ice. Unable to make a safe descent, he was evacuated by a helicopter rescue team, having left behind his mobile phone and perhaps other things.
On April 26, four days later, the student returned to Mount Fuji to retrieve his phone, notwithstanding the off-season weather persisting and his recent experience. Climbing almost to the same height, he was again overwhelmed by altitude sickness.
Another hiker found him incapacitated and alerted emergency services at around 12:50 pm. Rescue personnel recognized him as the same individual they had saved earlier that week. They transported him down to the 5th station on a stretcher before handing him over to the fire department for medical attention.
Mount Fuji, Japan’s tallest peak at 12,388 feet (3,776 meters), is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and a national symbol. It draws 200,000 to 300,000 climbers annually during its official season from early July to early September. However, off-season climbing is strongly discouraged due to snow cover, unpredictable weather, and limited rescue capabilities. The mountain’s dangers are evident from incidents like the five fatalities recorded in July of the previous year at the season’s start.
Japanese authorities have imposed entry fees and quotas to ensure greater safety and control over the number of climbers. Hikers on Mount Fuji’s four most popular routes will pay 4,000 yen ($27) from 2025 onwards. Off-season climbs continue to present a serious hazard, as this incident exemplifies.
The double rescue has sparked public outrage, with many criticizing the student’s judgment and calling for him to cover the costs of the second operation. Social media reflects growing demands for climber accountability. Shizuoka prefecture police have reiterated their advisory against off-season climbing, noting the risks to both climbers and rescuers due to harsh conditions and limited resources.
Unlike some countries, Japan does not charge for mountain rescues, prompting debate about whether fees could deter reckless behavior. While some advocate for financial penalties in cases like this, others fear it might discourage climbers from seeking help when needed. This incident has intensified discussions about balancing safety and resource use.
While Mount Fuji remains a popular destination internationally, this incident provides a stark reminder of the risks of high-altitude activities and of the need, ongoing, to be educated and aware of these risks.
