Mount Fuji to implement off-season helicopter rescue fees

Mount Fuji helicopter rescue fees off-season climbing Yamanashi Prefecture mountain safety

Yamanashi Prefecture is developing a new policy to charge for helicopter rescue services on Mount Fuji during the mountain's closed season. The measure aims to deter unprepared hikers from attempting dangerous climbs outside the official season, which runs from July 1 to September 10.

Under the proposed plan, which is targeted for implementation in September 2027, rescue operations using disaster prevention helicopters could cost approximately 8,000 yen (roughly $50–$55 USD) for every five minutes of flight time. To encourage safety, the prefecture plans to offer discounts to climbers who submit official climbing notifications and follow necessary safety protocols.

The move follows a rise in improvised, off-season climbs that have forced police rescue teams to operate in hazardous winter conditions. In the seven years leading up to last year, Yamanashi reported 21 accidents on its side of the mountain, resulting in four deaths. Additionally, the prefecture intends to mandate the submission of climbing plans for those ascending above the sixth station during the closed period.

Entities

Kotaro Nagasaki · Kyodo News · Mount Fuji · Shizuoka Prefecture · Yamanashi Prefecture

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Mount Fuji attracts over 200,000 hikers annually during its official opening period from July to early September. www.lalsace.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.leprogres.fr
[● 3 SOURCES] Local authorities have observed an increase in unplanned climbs during the current season. www.lalsace.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.leprogres.fr
[● 3 SOURCES] Yamanashi Prefecture announced that helicopter rescue operations on Mount Fuji during the off-season will soon be subject to fees. www.lalsace.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.leprogres.fr
[● 3 SOURCES] The regional government is developing a package of measures to combat reckless climbing during Mount Fuji's closed season. www.lalsace.fr · www.lejsl.com · www.leprogres.fr