Japan, father leaves 7-year-old son alone in the middle of Mount Fuji and continues climbing

2026-08-24 17:23:58Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Japan, father leaves 7-year-old son alone in the middle of Mount Fuji and

A man who left his exhausted 7-year-old son waiting alone on Japan's Mount Fuji while he continued climbing with the rest of his family has been reprimanded by police, CNN reports.

The boy was spotted by a worker on Thursday sitting alone near a shelter, at an altitude of about 2,500 meters above sea level, just over halfway to the summit of the country's highest mountain, according to CNN partner TV Asahi.

The case was later reported to the police. Police said the boy had gone hiking with his father and older brother, but was asked to wait there after he became tired and did not want to continue hiking, TV Asahi reported.

He was told to wait on a bench at the sixth station of the Fujinomiya trail while his father and brother continued the climb, the report said.

When they returned five hours later, the police were waiting for them along with the little boy; he was healthy and well and was handed over to his father.

Officers warned the man that he could face criminal liability - as reported by the Japanese television broadcaster - while adding that he expressed remorse.

In the past, climbers climbing the 3,776-meter (12,388-foot) volcano have needed rescue after showing symptoms of altitude sickness.

Also, weather conditions in the mountains can be unpredictable.

In recent years, authorities have imposed new rules, including limiting the maximum number of climbers per day and requiring them to take a short course on climbing safety.


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