Japan closes Mount Fuji for this year's climbing season.

According to Kyodo News, Mount Fuji (Japan) will be closed during this summer's climbing season to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is currently unfolding in the country.

Accordingly, Shizuoka Prefecture, which manages three-quarters of the main routes to the summit of Mount Fuji, will not open any routes for the official climbing season from July 10 to September 10.

Similarly, Yamanashi Prefecture, which manages the Yoshida Trail, the fourth route chosen by 60% of climbers to reach Mount Fuji, has also announced its closure this year.

This is the first time since 1960 that all four main routes to the summit of Mount Fuji have been closed during the annual climbing season. Rest stops along the route for climbers to rest have also not yet reopened. The failure to control the pandemic has also severely impacted Japan's tourism and service industries.

Mount Fuji is a World Heritage Site recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). According to the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, the site attracted 236,000 visitors during the 2019 climbing season.

PV