Mount Fuji has long drawn those who seek to test themselves against something ancient and indifferent, but the mountain does not distinguish between the prepared and the reckless. Yamanashi prefecture, steward of Fuji's northern slopes, has now answered a rise in off-season emergencies with a policy that places the cost of rescue squarely on those who climb without adequate preparation — charging helicopter fees modeled on a neighboring prefecture's system, and requiring advance plans from anyone who ventures up during the nine harsh months outside the official season. It is a quiet but firm a
Japan to charge Mount Fuji climbers for off-season rescues
Off-season climbers have been stranded on Mount Fuji, prompting authorities to implement safety measures.