Rescues of Korean tourists and Japanese hiker on Japan's North Alps mountains

In the North Alps of Japan, three Korean men participating in a tour group were rescued from Mount Hokodake (North Hokodake) after suffering hypothermia and fatigue. Two of them had been evacuated to a mountain hut the previous day, and all three required helicopter extraction on the morning of the 29th. The group had entered the area from Kamikochi on a three‑night, four‑day trek, and the remaining twelve participants descended safely.

In a separate incident on Mount Yakushi‑dake, 68‑year‑old Shinichi Iizuka of Fukushima was found dead after a rescue operation. He had been reported missing on the climbing route between two mountain huts and was airlifted by police helicopter, but was confirmed dead on arrival at the police station.

Both events highlight the risks faced by climbers in the high‑altitude terrain of the Japanese Alps.