Record Number of Mountain Rescues in Japan

20th June 2024

The number of people who required assistance on Japanese mountains was a record high of 3,568 in 2023, according to the police. It was up 62 on the previous year.…
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The number of people who required assistance on Japanese mountains was a record high of 3,568 in 2023, according to the police.

It was up 62 on the previous year.

335 died or remain missing and 1,400 were injured, according to the National Police Agency data.

“We urge people to make sure they are well-equipped with items, such as hiking boots and mobile phones, and to submit a climbing registration form, which is crucial for search and rescue operations,” said an official to local media.

The data showed a rise in incidents in popular hiking areas and locations near metropolitan areas.

Incidents involving foreign visitors also increased, with a total of 145 people needing help.

The highest number since records on foreign tourist incidents began in 2018.