Swiss hiker dies and elderly woman rescued on Mount Fuji
A Swiss man died after losing consciousness while hiking up Mount Fuji, according to authorities. The man was identified as Bernhard Sutter, managing director of the assisted dying company EXIT, who was on a family holiday in Japan. In a separate incident, 99-year-old Tome Sagawa was rescued after spending a night in a mountain hut due to injury. The incidents highlight ongoing safety concerns on Japan’s highest mountain, which has seen increased regulation due to overtourism and accidents.
What we know
- Police said the 58-year-old Swiss man was resuscitated and taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
- Bernhard Sutter died after a medical emergency while hiking with his family.
- Tome Sagawa, aged 99, was rescued after injuring herself and sheltering overnight on the mountain.
- The 2024 season saw nine deaths on Mount Fuji, but there were none in 2025.
- Yamanashi Prefecture introduced a daily cap of 4,000 climbers and doubled the climbing fee to 2,000 yen in 2025.
