Japan recorded a record 3,623 people stranded in its mountains during 2025, including 246 foreign tourists, marking the highest annual total since authorities began compiling the data in 1961, according to the National Police Agency.
The figure represents an increase of 266 people from 2024 and underscores growing safety concerns as more domestic and international visitors venture into Japan’s mountain regions, Kyodo News reported Friday.
The annual statistics also revealed a rise in fatalities and missing persons. A total of 332 people either died or were reported missing in mountain-related incidents last year, up 32 from the previous year.
Injuries also increased, with 1,480 climbers and outdoor enthusiasts hurt in mountain accidents, an increase of 90 compared with 2024.
Older adults continued to account for the largest share of mountain emergencies. People aged 60 and above represented 47.6 percent of all stranded individuals, making them the most affected age group.
Getting lost remained the leading cause of rescue operations. Police said 30.9 percent of all stranded climbers became disoriented after losing their way on hiking trails.
Foreign visitors accounted for a record 246 stranded individuals, an increase of 111 from the previous year. Japanese authorities have tracked mountain rescue cases involving foreign nationals since 2018, and the 2025 figure was the highest since record-keeping began.
Police recorded 174 separate mountain incidents involving foreign tourists, up by 75 cases from 2024.
Backcountry skiing and mountaineering were involved in the overwhelming majority of those incidents. According to police data, 203 of the stranded foreign nationals — roughly 80 percent of the total — were participating in backcountry skiing or mountain climbing when they required assistance.
Nagano Prefecture recorded the highest number of mountain rescue cases nationwide, with 358 incidents. The region is renowned for its scenic but demanding alpine trails that attract hikers throughout the year.
Hokkaido ranked second with 199 cases, reflecting the popularity of its snow-covered mountains and backcountry skiing areas, while Yamanashi Prefecture placed third with 192 incidents.
Despite the nationwide increase in mountain rescues, police said the number of people stranded on Mount Fuji declined compared with the average recorded over the previous five years, suggesting that enhanced safety measures and greater public awareness may have helped reduce incidents on Japan’s highest peak.
