Father leaves tired 7yo at station to continue climbing Mount Fuji

Police in Japan have issued a strong warning to a father after he left his seven-year-old son unattended for several hours while climbing Mount Fuji. The child was discovered alone on a hiking trail and subsequently taken into police custody.

“

wait here

The incident unfolded on Thursday when the boy told his father he was tired at the mountain's sixth station, situated at an altitude exceeding 2,000 meters. According to local reports, the father instructed his son to wait there and continued his ascent with his other son. The seven-year-old was reportedly left with only snacks, a soft drink, and no money.

Staff at a mountain hut alerted the police to the boy's presence. Officers contacted the father, who was reportedly at the eighth station, and returned the child to him upon his descent. A police officer confirmed that the man received a telling-off for his actions, which he admitted were careless.

“

officers gave the man a telling-off for leaving the child behind.

Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak at 3,776 meters, is a popular destination for hikers. Authorities have implemented measures such as entry fees and daily caps to manage overcrowding. This incident occurs against a backdrop of safety concerns, with two climbers having died on the mountain last month. One was a Swiss national who lost consciousness, and a 65-year-old Japanese man died after a fall.

“

admitting the act was careless.