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Japan's Mt. Fuji's UNESCO status is at risk from over-tourism. The iconic peak became a World Heritage site in 2013. However, the number of tourists climbing Fuji is threatening that listing. There is a post-covid tourist boom in Japan. Many visitors are heading for Fuji-san's climbing trails. Mt. Fuji is sacred for Japanese people. They hope to climb it at least once in their lives. The climbers are causing environmental damage on Fuji. Litter is everywhere, and parking lots have been built for the tourists. These are an eyesore on the mountain's once-pristine habitat.
A local official said: "Fuji faces a real crisis. Tourism has become uncontrollable." He said Fuji might become so unattractive that nobody will climb it. He added: "Fuji-san is screaming in pain. We can't just wait for improvement; we need to tackle over-tourism now." The mountain has seen a 50 per cent jump in visitors since 2013, with four million arriving this summer. Another headache for authorities is "bullet climbers" – people who ascend and descend Fuji in 24 hours. They risk getting altitude sickness. The official climbing season has ended, giving Fuji a rest.
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