S/ Matsumura Yoshifumi, Chairperson of National Public Safety Commission: The incidence of mountain and water accidents tends to increase as summer approaches. When climbing mountains, please make plans that match your knowledge, physical strength, and experience, while exercising adequate caution.

The National Police Agency announced on June 13 that the number of people who went missing in Japan’s mountains in 2023 was 3,568, the highest number on record since statistics became available in 1961.

By age group, those in their 70s were the most numerous, and the main reason for the incidents involving them was that they got lost.

The number of people who went missing on Mt. Fuji and Mt. Takao has increased significantly.

The number of foreign tourists who got lost in the mountains came to 145 last year, was also the highest since recordkeeping began in 2018. Of the total, 18 got lost on Mt. Fuji.

The National Police Agency is calling on people to carefully check maps and climb mountains that are appropriate for their abilities with the proper equipment.