Japan to Charge Rescue Fees for Hikers Lost on Mount Fuji During Off-Peak Season

Hikers who become lost on Mount Fuji during the mountain's off-peak season will be required to pay a fee for their rescue, according to a report by BBC News.

Mount Fuji, Japan's most famous mountain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, draws large numbers of climbers each year, particularly during its official climbing season. Outside of this period, however, conditions on the mountain can become more hazardous, according to the report.

The new fee is intended to apply specifically to those who get lost on the mountain during the off-peak months, the BBC reported, though further details on the exact amount of the charge or when the policy will take effect were not specified in the available report.

Mount Fuji has long attracted both domestic and international visitors, with rescue operations sometimes required for hikers who attempt the climb outside of the safer, more heavily trafficked climbing season.

This report is based on information from BBC News; further official details from Japanese authorities regarding the policy's implementation have not yet been independently confirmed.