Record number of hikers climb Mt Fuji

A record number of more than 250,000 people have climbed Japan's highest peak, Mt Fuji, during the current mountaineering season.

Fujiyoshida City in Yamanashi Prefecture, located at the foot of the mountain, says nearly 251,000 people have climbed from the Yamanashi side since the season began on July first, beating the record set 2 years ago.

The city attributes the new record to an outdoor activity boom among senior citizens and young women.

It also says that climbing is becoming more popular thanks to efforts by mountain lodge operators to provide more comfort for visitors, especially women.

But the number of accidents is rising in tandem with the mountaineering boom.

Three men died this season after they fell ill while climbing Mt Fuji, which is nearly 3,800 meters high.

The city is asking climbers to wear appropriate clothing and to allocate enough time for their activities.