Environmental Management of Mt. Fuji and Mountains in Japan

July 21, 2014

Tetsuya Hanamura, PhD.Member of Coordination Committee for Mountain Conservation consists of 7 Mountain Associations in JapanVice president, Japan Workers Alpine Federation

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WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE REGISTERED IN 2013

MT. FUJI, A NATIONAL SYMBOL OF JAPAN

as Sacred Place and Source of Artistic Inspiration

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Sacred Place as Religious Beliefs

In the early Heian Period (9th century), a Sengen Shrine was built at Mt. Fuji's northern base in order to quell any eruptions.

In the late Heian Period (11th century), Mt. Fuji became a center for the ascetic practices of the Shugen-do religion. By the Muromachi Period both the Murayama Mountain Trail (later replaced by the Omiya Trail) and the Yoshida Trail were opened, and Mt. Fuji became widely known as a sacred mountain for the devout to climb.

Mt. Fuji is traditionally divided into three zones from its base to its summit: the grassy area to represent the mundane world, the forest line to represents the transient between this world and the world of the gods, and the burned area being covered by volcanic lapillus, to represent the realm of the gods, Buddha, and death. The climbing and descending of Mt. Fuji, thus represented travel from the world of the living to the world of the dead and back, through which the devout could wash away the sins and impurities they had accrued on this world. 

The spirit of this unique mountain-climbing worship remains alive today. Religious artifacts such as small shrines, stone monuments, and a variety of rituals can be seen in and around the mountain trails.  

Mountain climbers about 100 years ago

Sengen Shrine At present

(Courtesy of Yamanashi prefecture)

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Source of Artistic Inspiration

Mt. Fuji has been the inspiration for a number of works of art since the days of old, thanks to its grandiose, solitary, and beautiful shape; the otherworldly landscapes it provides-such as that of a snow-capped mountain or an erupting volcano.

Ukiyo-e (Japanese Woodblock Prints) of the early19th century (Yamanashi Prefecture)

(Japanpost stamps)

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Why Mt. Fuji is Cultural Heritage, instead of Natural Heritage?

Judgement from World Natural Heritage standards Conical shape and volcanic activity of Mt. Fuji are not so unique compared with other similar

mountains in the world. Most crucial point was that Mt. Fuji had serious environmental problems of garbage

and human waste. Garbage were existed on the trail from littering by tourists and hikers, and at the foot of Mt.

Fuji by illegal dumping of waste by some businesses and local residents. Human waste had been left on trails up the mountain and been discharged directly on the

surface of rock from the toilets of mountain huts that was called “white river”. Even though the World Cultural Heritage, World Heritage Committee pointed out

environmental problems.  The committee have requested that the Japanese government submit a

written report by 2016 about preservation of the state of the site, which is to feature strategies on how to deal with the anticipated increase in visitors to Mount Fuji.

5Though Japan at first aimed to have Mt. Fuji inscribed on the World Natural

Heritage list from 1992, Mt. Fuji was not judged to be out of common by World Natural Heritage standards, as follows.

The Feature of Mt. Fuji to climb Height of 3,776ｍ

Officially admitted time period of climbing had been in July and August in the past, and have extended to mid-September from this year.

There are four official routes to the summit during Summer Season.(Right figure) Fujinomiya Trail from Fujinomiya 5th Station(2,400m

high) Gotemba Trail from Gotemba 5th Station (1,450m) Subashiri Trail from Subashiri 5th Station (2,000m) Yoshida Trail from Yoshida 5th Station (2,300m)

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SPECIAL FEATURES OF MT. FUJI

Large number of Visitors Big numbers of visitors (hikers) 300,000 visitors a year, in only

two months of July and August Around 10,000 visitors a day

as a maximum number

Top 3 Datein 2013

Visitors a day

1 July 14 (Sun) 10,0402 July 27 (Sat) 9,6913 Aug 3 (Sat) 9,556

Top three days in 2013From high visitors a day

320,975310,721

(Courtesy of Shizuoka Prefecture)

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Accidents Trend in Mt. Fuji

Major accidents occurred during in summer (81%) by the data in 2013.

Accident ratio of the dead and injured was 0.03% in summer 2013 in Mt. Fuji.

Accidents have increased as the numbers of visitors increased.

Accidents in summer were mostly light injury or safely rescued.

Accidents in Mt. Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture

(courtesy of Shizuoka Prefectural Police )

Accident ratio was 2.7 people per 10,000 people in 2013

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Accidents Trend in Mt. Fuji

Major causes of Summer accidents are the altitude sickness, fell-down and fatigue as shown in yellow box.

Accidents in all seasons include hypothermia, lose way, and slide falling, mostly occurred in winter as shown in blue box.

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(Data by Shizuoka Prefecture Police)

Feature of Visitors who occur Accidents

Most of Visitors to Mt. Fuji climbing are newcomers. Japanese 65% and Foreigners 85% of Visitors were newcomers to Mt. Fuji (2011 Ministry of

Environment). For most Japanese, Mt. Fuji is the mountain longing for to climb once in a life.

General people as well as mountaineers have interests to climb Mt. Fuji. From younger kids to aged people want to climb Mt. Fuji.

Some foreigners would like to climb the highest mountain in Japan when they visit. There were 42 accidents done by foreigners in 5 years between 2008 and 2012.

In 2013 summer, the people who died and injured in Mt Fuji were all greenhorn hikers instead of general mountaineers by the data of Shizuoka Prefecture Police. The Police concluded that people who came across accidents in Mt. Fuji were all “tourist

climbers” in 2013, and distinguished them from the general mountaineers. The Police defined “tourist climbers” as the hikers who did not have sufficient wears and

equipment, enough physical strength, knowledge and mental attitude for high mountain and disease.

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Difference between Mountaineers and Greenhorn Hikers

Mountaineer attitude for climbing or trekking more than 2,500 m high They prepare plans to climb or trek, check weather and prepare for bivouac in an emergency. They bring wears and equipment such as map, compass, head lamp, rainwear, spare clothes, meals and snacks,

drink water, some medicines and medical articles against heat attack, hypothermia, muscle clamp, etc. and emergency equipment or tools.

Greenhorn hikers attitude toward Mt. Fuji They don’t consider that Mt. Fuji is high enough of 3, 776m, and have not knowledge of altitude sickness. They don’t prepare against sudden change of weather of single tower mountain of Mt. Fuji, and high altitude.

(Pictures are from free photo site)

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Actually there was no management in the public side. Only mountain huts took the initiative of the management for the visitors.

Mountain huts had provided accommodation and foods for the climbers to the summits. By the effort of huts, most of visitors can safely be accommodated and climb Mt. Fuji.

Mountain huts took the initiative of the management for visitors.

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How was the Actual Management of Visitors (Hikers) in 10 years

ago.

Mountain huts had provided accommodation and foods for the climbers to the summits.

However accommodation and foods were very poor. What mountain huts did were minimum accommodation requirements, mainly place to sleep and food to recover the energy.

Visitors had to sleep in a small place jam packed. Food was poor compared with high price of lodging.

Furthermore, two big problems had existed. Those were the disposals of the human waste and the garbage.

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Though mountain huts took the initiative, was management

enough?

Remained site of human wastes in the open-air near the mountain peak in 2009

Human wastes had been discharged directly to the open-air hill side, that was called “White River” containing human wastes and toilet tissues.

Garbage near the mountain peak on Subashiri Route in 2006

Turning to the integrated management among private, public and local sectors.

Public sectors of both Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures headed Mt. Fuji for obtaining World Heritage registration. 1994: Coordinating Committee for Mt. Fuji to World Heritage was set up privately and collected 2.2 million signatures. The

Committee submitted a petition to the National Government and the Diet. 1996: “ Mt. Fuji Clean Operation” had started by both Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures (local governments). 1997: “Joint Declaration of Mt. Fuji Environmental Preservation” was announced, and “ Mt. Fuji Summit” Conference was held by

both Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures. 1998:  “Mt. Fuji Charter” was officially announced by both Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures. 2005: A petition of “Mt. Fuji for World Heritage Registration” was submitted to the Government. 2007: Mt. Fuji was nominated as the official World Heritage Site candidate at the June 2007 UNESCO World Heritage Committee

Meeting. Garbage were existed on the trail from littering by tourists and hikers, and at the foot of Mt. Fuji from illegal dumping of waste

by some businesses and local residents. Human waste had been left on trails up the mountain and been discharged directly from the toilets of mountain huts that was

called “white river”. 2011: Drafting of World Heritage Nomination Proposal, and submittal to the National Government 2012: Submittal of a Nomination Draft to UNESCO 2013: Inscription as a World Heritage Site (UNESCO)

Since Mt. Fuji Clean Operation in 1996, the public sectors have been involved. Both Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures have tried to manage the way to the World Heritage.

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Heading for the World heritage registration

The Basic Policy of Management for of Mt. Fuji (1)

Public sectors of National and Local Governments (Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures) direct management, support and cooperate the private and local sectors to promote the safety of visitors, mountain trails maintenance, garbage and human wastes clean-ups, by recognizing the role of the mountain huts. Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures have responsibilities to promote visitors to climb safely,

manage trail maintenance and trail patrol, promote patrol and collection of illegal dumping of garbage, direct mountain huts to change toilets to environmentally friendly ones and subsidize their expenses.

Local governments advise visitors to do safe hiking and not to do so called “ Bullet climbing” that is to climb at night and descend during daytime, for it is dangerous and gets tired.

As a trial base of entrance fee, the “Cooperative Fund for Environmental Conservation of Mount Fuji” has been requested to visitors to pay 1,000 yen (roughly 10 USD) by local governments in 2014.

Fund money will be used for the Environmental Conservation of Mt. Fuji.

15There is no admission restriction and no number limit of

visitors in Mt. Fuji.

Private sector of mountain huts have responsibilities of accommodation of visitors, toilet and human wastes disposal, garbage disposal in and near the huts. Reservation policy based on accommodation capacity is recommended for the mountain

huts. Reservation at the mountain hut is recommended for visitor to do as a must. Between mountain huts and travel agents, tie-up for reservation has been promoted. Visitors are recommended to stay one night in mountain huts, or to climb and descend in

the daytime for the safe hiking. Volunteers and residents make efforts to clean the mountain including the foot

of mountain.

16The Basic Policy of Management of Mt. Fuji (2)There is no admission restriction and no number limit of

visitors in Mt. Fuji.

Visitors Management from mountain huts initiative to integration among private, public and local

sectors Public Sector

Official Web site for Mt. Fuji Climbing by the Ministry of the Environment, Yamanashi & Shizuoka Prefectures

Mountain rangers, patrol of trails and illegal dumping of garbage.

Promotion of clean-up activities. Private Sector

Collaboration between Mountain Huts and Travel Agents Local Sector

Collaboration between Local Resident and NPO

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Management activities promoted by each sector (1/2)

18Management activities promoted by each sector (2/2)

Environmental Problems in Mt. Fuji

Maintaining of mountain trails for the safe walking Keeping good trails for hikers

Garbage removal in and at the foot of Mountain Promotion of prevention from littering garbage Promotion of taking garbage home prevention of illegal garbage dumping at the foot of mountain

Disposal of human waste Supply of toilets with eco-system Transportation of excreta sludge

Preservation of botanical biodiversity

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Maintenance of mountain trails for safe walking

Volcanic rock of Mt. Fuji is relatively weak compared with hard rock. Mountain trails are gradually excavated by hikers. Sometimes trail route had been replaced with new ones mainly from

the safety reasons. Though trail replacement in other mountains in Japan are carefully

selected to preserve mountain floras. However in Mt. Fuji, very few flowers are grown on the volcanic rocks by the severe climate in higher places.

Main concern on the trail is not the matter of deterioration of trails but the safety of visitors for walking. Since the mountain deterioration occurs by the severe climate changes, such as avalanches of earth and rocks by snow, ices and heavy rains.

Relatively weak rock on the surface

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Garbage removal on the Mountain Trail

Garbage near the mountain peak on Subashiri Route in 2006

Almost no garbage on the trails, at present

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Promotion of Mountaineer’s habit to prevent from littering garbage and taking garbage back home

Prevention from littering garbage is commonly understood among Japanese mountaineers.

Taking garbage back home activity is also understood among mountaineers in Japan. There is almost no garbage on the trail all over mountains in Japan. Garbage can be seen only on the road side in the mountain where drivers throw garbage,

such as cigarette butts, plastic bottles, cans, etc. Even tissues used for excretion by mountaineers are also brought home.

This habit was originally influenced by the “Shame culture” of the Japanese mind. Once most of people understand that it is shameful to litter garbage in the mountain and

spoil mountain nature, they promote activities of taking garbage home as natural habits. Japanese mountaineers now consider the habits as “Culture to be proud of” instead of “

Shame culture”.

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(courtesy of NPO Fujisan Club)

Garbage map of Mt. Fuji

LegendCarsTiresCansHome appliancesFurniturePapersScrap materialsUnknownOthers

NPO Fujisan Club investigated the existence of garbage throughout Mt. Fuji area and made map.

Clean the Mountainon the trails and in the forests

Clean Hike on the Trail

Departure Ceremony of Clean Hike

Collection of Small pieces of garbage such as medical wastes of glasses, needles, plastic bags and bottles.

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Clean the forests

Clean Mt. Fuji at the foot of a mountain from the road side to the forest zone

Gathering cigarette butts, plastic bags, tissues, cans, pet bottles, etc. from the roadside by volunteers that were mostly thrown by car drivers

Gradually garbage is decreasing by the upsurge of environmental awareness

and the surveillance of governmental agencies.

Illegal Disposal of Garbage

Watch and Collection of Illegally Dumped

Materials

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Road side Deep road side and in the forest

Eco-friendly toilets have been introduced in the mountain huts in Mt.

Fuji

The toilets in the mountain lodges on Mt. Fuji were previously infamous for the smelly "white rivers" of human wastes and toilet papers. They had been discharged directly on the mountain's surface.

But now, all of these toilets have been redesigned and renovated as eco-friendly toilets that do not release human wastes outside.

Mountain environment was greatly improved.

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Disposal of human wastes has been changed dramatically and systematically

Human wastes in the open-air near the mountain peak in 2009

Bio-toilet using sawdustHuman wastes had

been discharged directly to the open-air hill side, that was called “White River” containing human wastes and toilet tissues.

Development of eco-friendly toilets

Courtesy of Shizuoka Prefecture

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Eco Friendly Toilets have been arranged and renovated in Mt. Fuji

Bio-toilet using sawdust Sawdust is used to stimulate microorganisms, which

help break down the waste. They do not require water, making them perfect for environments such as Mt. Fuji.

Recycled Water (Oyster Shell) Toilet (Bio toilet) Water and oyster shells are put into the treatment

cistern, and microorganisms from the shells break down the waste. The water is contained in a reusable loop, allowing these toilets to be used just like normal flush toilets.

Incinerator Toilet Oil burners evaporate / incinerate the waste product.

They produce no sewage, and only a minimal level of ash. If rain water is available, they can be used as simple flush-style toilets as well.

Courtesy of Shizuoka Prefecture

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History of eco friendly toilet renovation program in Mt. Fuji

1998　 Mt. Fuji Toilet Research Group was set up.1998-2001 Experiment of Proof of Concept of Eco Friendly Toilets started.2001 Final report of Mt. Fuji Toilet Research Group was issued. 2002-2005 Renovation and installation work of eco friendly toilets had

conducted.

Total renovated and installed toilets: 24Total project cost: 488.8 million yen (roughly 5 million USD)Subsidies: ( 50% from National G. 25% from Prefecture, 12.5% from

City )

Processing system: 1) Bio-toilet using sawdust, 2) Recycled Water (Oyster Shell) Toilet , 3) Incinerator Toilet

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Newly constructed eco friendly toilets

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Sawdust type of Bio-toilet constructed at the top of Mt. Fuji in 2002

Recycled Water (Oyster Shell) type of Bio-toilet constructed at the 5th station hut of Mt. Fuji in 2002

Volume reduced human wastes (sludge) have to be carried down by caterpillar type carrier (Buldozer)

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By the use of eco friendly toilets, Human wastes are decomposed and the weight and volume are dramatically reduced. However the sludge or decomposed liquid have to be carried down from mountain huts to the foot of mountain.

The1,086 individual bodies of the endangered 12 species plant were discovered and confirmed by the preservation patrol of botanical biodiversity in the 32 km long hiking trails.

32Preservation of botanical biodiversity

(courtesy of Shizuoka Prefecture)

Hiking trails

Enhancement of the consciousness of environment preservation

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PR by Fujisan Network for the environmental Preservation

PR, explanation and gathering information by MT. Fuji Eco-Ranger

Distribution of manner guide book for visitors, written in many languages

Environmental issues of mountains in general in Japan

Garbage on the mountain trail and clean up efforts Though it is hard to find garbage on the trail, clean-up efforts have been

continued. “Taking garbage home activity” has been educated among mountaineers and

expanding among Japanese people. Human waste management

Two systems of each extreme edge have been gradually expanding in Japan. One is a portable toilet and the another is the eco friendly toilet

Protection of Alpine flora and animals Protection of endangered species of flora and animals

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Garbage on the mountain trail and clean up efforts

Though garbage on the trail is decreasing and cannot be seen easily, still some of insolent people throw some garbage. To pick up garbage from the trail is the continuous effort for mountaineers in Japan.

Clean Hike Day on first Sunday of June, 40 years of experience in JWAF.

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Human waste management

Portable toilet is one end of mountain toilets, and sold in the market. In some mountain area in

Japan the portable toilet is advised to use.

Portable toilet booths are arranged in the advised place.

Eco friendly toilet is another end of mountain toilets. Eco friendly toilet is

expanding rapidly in many mountain huts.

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Portable toilet and eco friendly toilet

Portable toilet booth

Eco friendly toilet in Mt. Fuji

Portable toilet on the market

Far end, human waste have been carried down by volunteers to the foot of mountain in Japan

Accumulated sludge from Mt. Daisen (1,709m high) toilet is bottled in plastic bottles as seen in the picture.

Each bottle is 2 liter in volume and weighs 2kg. Volunteer individually wrapped the bottle by a plastic bag and carried down in the rucksack to the foot of mountain.

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Ideal toilets in the future for the mountain huts

Expansion of bio-toilets needs some of difficulties to solve. Followings are musts to solve.

Heating for bacteria activation: It is necessary for bacteria to warm up and activate in the container. Continuous heating system

is necessary, either by oil heater or electric heater.

Transportation means: Some of the extruded sludge or liquid have to be transported to the foot of mountain, either by

pipeline, helicopter, kind of bulldozer, or human power to carry them down.

Maintaining the toilet: Maintenance efforts are necessary for temperature control, water volume control, and feeding

bacteria bait. Somebody has to be in the huts or come to the huts in case of necessary.

38Separated excreta and urine will be used for

soil conditioner and fertilizer by using bio-toilet system.

Protection of Alpine flora and animals

Inspection of Alpine Flora

Production and supply of young plants by local governments

Volunteer work for Planting

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Protection of mountain plants from wildlife animals 40Feeding damage by deer is increasing in Japan.

Future Management of Mt. Fuji and Visitors

Safety of visitors to climb Mt. Fuji is the main concern. PPL (Public, Private and Local Sectors) will collaborate to welcome visitors to climb Mt.

Fuji. PPL will keep the basic policy of no admission restriction and no number limit of visitors

in Mt. Fuji. PPL will collaborate to preserve good environment in Mt. Fuji

Mountain toilets are crucial for keeping up of human waste management. Mountain trails will be kept clean by the policy of taking garbage home. Garbage clean-up activities by volunteers and residents, and governmental garbage

surveillance will continue. Decrease in quantities of garbage will be continually pursued, not only in the mountain,

but also at the foot of mountain.

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Thank you42