Despite a slight decrease from the previous year, mountain-related accidents in Japan remained alarmingly high in 2024, marking the third-largest number of incidents on record.
A total of 2,946 mountain accidents occurred across the country last year, involving 3,357 individuals, according to data released by the National Police Agency on June 19.
This is 180 fewer incidents and 211 fewer people than in 2023. However, the overall numbers remain among the highest recorded since Japan began tracking these statistics in 1961.
Among the victims, 300 people were either dead or missing, and 1,390 were injured. Older climbers were particularly vulnerable, with people in their 50s to 70s making up 60 percent of the victims.
Of those involved, 135 were tourists visiting Japan.
The most common sites for mountain accidents were the Tanzawa mountains with 174; the Chichibu mountains with 151; the Takao mountains with 131; and Mount Fuji with 83.
Compared to the average of the previous five years, accidents on Mount Fuji rose by 60 percent, while incidents on Mount Takaosan in western Tokyo rose by 50 percent. Both are popular and easily accessible hiking spots.
As in previous years, getting lost remained the leading cause of mountain emergencies. However, incidents due to falls and fatigue have been rising.
Alarmingly, fewer than 20 percent of climbers involved in accidents had submitted a mountain climbing plan to local authorities beforehand.
Authorities are urging hikers to submit such plans and be aware of alternate descent routes in the event of emergencies.
The report also highlighted a surge in water-related accidents last year, with 1,535 incidents involving 1,753 people.
This represents an increase of 143 incidents and 86 people compared to 2023, pushing the figures to the highest levels in the past decade.
AloJapan.com