A father hiking Mount Fuji with his two sons left his 7-year-old child behind on the Fujinomiya Trail to continue towards the summit with his older son, according to reports.
The 48-year-old man, from Nagoya, reportedly told the younger boy to "wait here" when he complained of being tired near the trail's sixth checkpoint, approximately 8,000 feet up Japan's tallest peak. The father and his older son continued their ascent toward the summit, which is the mountain's 10th checkpoint.
Police stated that leaving a child unattended is unacceptable. The father admitted to making a "rash decision" and expressed deep regret. The climb from the sixth checkpoint to the summit typically takes over five hours, with an additional two and a half hours required for the return trip.
Authorities believe the father left the boy around 4:30 a.m. on a Thursday. However, the child did not wait for his father's return. Around 7:40 a.m., a worker at a nearby mountain hut found the boy sitting alone, provided him shelter, and contacted the police.
Officers were able to reach the father, who had climbed to near the eighth checkpoint, and ordered him to descend and retrieve his son. The child was found unharmed and safely reunited with his father. Police have not yet indicated if charges will be filed.
Officials issued a general warning to hikers, emphasizing the importance of staying together and pacing climbs according to the capabilities of all group members. Mount Fuji, an active but dormant volcano, stands over 12,000 feet above sea level. The Fujinomiya Trail is a primary route for climbers seeking to reach its summit.