Helicopter rescue operations on Mount Fuji during the off-season will now be charged, the Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan announced on Monday, September 14. This decision aims to discourage ill-prepared hikers. The 3,776-meter volcano attracts over 200,000 hikers each year during its official opening period from July to early September. However, some people choose to climb the mountain outside this period to experience its extreme conditions, such as icy gusts and slippery slopes. Local authorities have noted an increase in unexpected ascents during this season, according to Kyodo News. This trend has led police rescue teams to intervene in perilous winter conditions to assist stranded climbers for free, causing frustration among residents and officials. Details are yet to be clarified, but local media report that Yamanashi Prefecture is considering charging around $10 per minute for rescue operations conducted during the closed season.
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