Father Reprimanded After Abandoning Son on Mount Fuji
Seven-year-old found unharmed near mountain hut after father continued ascent with older son.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
A seven-year-old boy was abandoned by his father on Mount Fuji.
The child was left behind after telling his father he was too tired to continue climbing.
A worker discovered the boy alone near a mountain hut, alerting police.
The child sat on a bench at over 2,000m, amidst foggy and rainy conditions.
Police located the father near the eighth station, instructing him to return for his son.
The child was unharmed, subsequently reunited with his father.
The father reportedly told his son to wait there before continuing towards the summit with his older son, according to SBS TV.
Local media reports indicate the father told the boy to "wait here" after the child complained of tiredness.
Even if it means having to give up on climbing the mountain together, leaving a child behind is unacceptable.
Police officers stated, "Even if it means having to give up on climbing the mountain together, leaving a child behind is unacceptable."
The father is said to have apologized for the "rash" decision.