Father warned after leaving 7-year-old alone on Mount Fuji
Police reprimanded a man who left his 7-year-old son unattended at the sixth station of Mount Fuji, warning him of possible criminal liability.
A 7-year-old boy was found sitting alone on a bench at the sixth station of the Fujinomiya trail on Mount Fuji, about 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) above sea level, after his father and older brother continued the hike. The incident was reported by a worker at the mountain hut and later investigated by police, who said the child had been told to wait when he became tired and unwilling to proceed.
The father and brother returned five hours later and were met by officers who handed the unharmed child back to his parent. Police warned the man that he could face criminal charges and noted that he expressed remorse for his actions.
Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest peak at 12,388 feet (3,776 meters), has a history of rescues due to altitude sickness and sudden weather changes. Recent regulations limit daily climber numbers and require brief safety briefings for hikers.