Overview

• The 27-year-old student was first airlifted from Mount Fuji on April 22 after developing altitude sickness and losing his crampons, rendering him unable to descend.
• Four days later, he returned to the Fujinomiya Trail to retrieve belongings, including his phone, but fell ill again and required a second rescue.
• Both incidents occurred outside the official climbing season, when trails are closed, and conditions are hazardous due to snow, ice, and limited rescue infrastructure.
• Shizuoka police reiterated warnings against off-season climbs, citing risks posed by sudden weather changes and treacherous terrain.
• The rescues have sparked public criticism on social media, with calls for the climber to reimburse emergency services, though no penalties currently exist for such rescues.