Mount Fuji hiker leaves 7-year-old son behind to reach summit

A 48-year-old father from Nagoya was reprimanded by police after leaving his 7-year-old son alone on Mount Fuji. The incident occurred on the Fujinomiya Trail when the child complained of exhaustion near the sixth station, approximately 2,500 meters above sea level.

Instead of pausing or turning back, the father reportedly told the boy to “wait here” and continued the ascent toward the summit with his older son. The child was later discovered by a mountain hut worker sitting alone on a bench. At the time of discovery, the boy had only snacks and a soft drink, with no money.

Police located the father near the eighth station and ordered him to return for his son. The child was unharmed and eventually reunited with his family. Authorities have used the incident to urge hikers to prioritize the safety and stamina of all group members, noting that weather conditions on the mountain can change rapidly.