Incident Overview
On August 23, 2024, a mountain worker discovered a 7-year-old boy sitting alone on a bench at the sixth station of Mount Fuji (above 2,000 m). The child had told his father he was tired during an early-morning hike, and the father, who was from Nagoya, promised to return after a five-hour ascent to the summit. The boy had already moved ahead with his older brother, and the father reached the eighth station after a three-hour climb.
Police Response
Police took the child into protective custody and issued a stern warning to the father. He apologized, saying, “I made a rash decision, and I deeply regret it,” and was instructed to abandon the climb. The officers emphasized that leaving a child alone on an active volcano is unacceptable and urged hikers to consider the stamina of all group members.
Safety Warning
Mount Fuji’s microclimate can change rapidly, even in summer, and hypothermia poses a serious risk. Police used this incident to remind hikers that safety must come first, especially when children are involved, and to adjust pace and plans accordingly.
