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Shizuoka Police Warn Father After Leaving Seven-Year-Old Alone

8/23/2026

46 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Father Warned

Shizuoka Police warned a father for leaving his seven-year-old son alone at Mount Fuji’s sixth station.
The boy said he was tired after waiting about eight hours with snacks and a soft drink.
Police located the child on Aug 20 and placed him in protective custody.
Officers later handed the boy back to his father at the eighth station and warned parents to hike cautiously.

Summary

Father Abandons Son

The 48-year-old father abandoned his son on the Fujinomiya trail at about 2,490 metres.
Police traced the father by phone near the eighth station and ordered his descent.
Mountain-hut staff sheltered the boy and immediately called police as fog reduced visibility.
Social-media users condemned the abandonment, generating widespread outrage on Japanese platforms.
The child was left alone from about 4:30 a.m., enduring over three hours in rain and fog.

History

Historical Context

Japan’s long record of deadly snow slides—such as the 1918 Asahi village avalanche—prompted the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to tighten mountain safety regulations. The recent rescue of a seven-year-old by Shizuoka Prefectural Police at Mount Fuji’s sixth station shows those rules remain vital for protecting hikers on popular trails.

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Father Warned

Shizuoka Police warned a father for leaving his seven-year-old son alone at Mount Fuji’s sixth station.
The boy said he was tired after waiting about eight hours with snacks and a soft drink.
Police located the child on Aug 20 and placed him in protective custody.
Officers later handed the boy back to his father at the eighth station and warned parents to hike cautiously.

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