Chinese man rescued twice in one week from Mt Fuji after risky attempt to recover his phone

However, just four days later, he returned to the mountain in an attempt to recover belongings he had left behind during the first incident, including his mobile phone. This second climb ended similarly, as the student again required rescue after reportedly suffering from altitude sickness. Rescue teams, who quickly recognised him from the previous operation, brought him down on a stretcher and took him to emergency services. He is now in stable condition.

Mount Fuji, standing at 3,776 meters (12,388 feet), is one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks. In recent years, Japanese authorities have introduced higher climbing fees and other measures to manage overtourism and ensure visitor safety.

Climbing Mount Fuji outside the official climbing season, which runs from early July to early September, is strongly discouraged. All summit trails are closed during the off-season, and the environment ministry has warned that sudden weather changes and the lack of open medical facilities make rescue operations difficult and dangerous.

Authorities in Shizuoka Prefecture reiterated their warnings following the second rescue, urging people not to attempt off-season climbs.

In 2017, five climbers who were members of the United States Marine Corps rescued a woman who had passed out on the Mt Fuji trail, following which they created a makeshift stretcher and carried the woman for 3.2 kilometres.