Shizuoka: A 48-year-old Japanese man faced severe reprimand from police after abandoning his 7-year-old son on Mount Fuji amidst heavy rain and fog to continue his climb with his older son.

According to Thai News Agency, the incident unfolded on the Fujinomiya trail when a family from Nagoya was hiking together. Upon reaching the sixth station, over 2,000 meters above sea level, the younger son expressed fatigue and the inability to continue. The father decided to leave snacks and drinks with his younger son and instructed him to "wait here" while he pursued his older son, aged around 12-13, who had already advanced towards the summit.

The situation took a concerning turn around 7:30 AM when staff at a mountain hut discovered the boy sitting alone on a bench, equipped only with snacks and a bottle of water, amidst worsening weather conditions. The staff promptly ensured the child's safety and contacted the authorities.

Shizuoka Prefecture police managed to reach the father, who had progressed to the eighth station, a three-hour distance from where he had left his younger son. Despite immediate orders to return, it took eight hours for the father to reunite with his frightened and exhausted child. The police issued a stern reprimand, emphasizing that abandoning a child is a criminal offense and reminding that the mountain hut is not a childcare facility. They highlighted the importance of considering the weakest member's strength in group climbing and warned against separating from the group.

The father admitted his mistake and apologized for his reckless decision. The incident attracted widespread criticism online in Japan, with many highlighting the dangers of rapid weather changes at high altitudes, which pose constant risks of accidents.

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