Mt. Fuji
Mt. Fuji was officially recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site on 26 June, 2013, as announced by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. The recognition of Mt. Fuji as a World Heritage Site had been expected since Japan's ratification of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was undertaken in 1992. However, it is also said that "Mt. Fuji was not recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site due to environmental problems including illegal dumping." In order to hand over the natural and cultural resources of Mt. Fuji to future generations, how should each and every one of us make efforts?
Prof. Masahito Yoshida of Tsukuba University who has conducted research on this topic answered our questions.
- Questions answered by: Masahito Yoshida
- Professor, World Heritage Studies, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba; Chair of Japan Committee for International Union for Conservation of Nature
Q2
What kinds of plants and animals comprise the ecosystems in Mt. Fuji?
A
Mt. Fuji is a composite volcano located at the place where the four plates of Eurasia, North America, the Pacific and the Philippines come into collision. Under Mt. Fuji ("New Fuji volcano") lies the "Old Fuji volcano" and the "Komitake volcano." Also, historic eruptions of Mt. Fuji are unique; Mt. Fuji had explosive eruptions throwing out lava in the Jōgan eruption in 864 and volcanic ash in the Hōei eruption in 1707. Aokigahara forest and caves produced by lava flows are habitats for forest birds and cave-dwelling animals, and plants such as knotweed (Aconogonon weyrichii), Fuji thistle, (Cirsium purpuratum), and fujihatazao (Arabis serrata) can be found in the Subashiri area produced by volcanic ash. However, as enough time has not yet passed since the eruptions to produce a variety of plants and animals, Mt. Fuji is not rich in plants and animals from the viewpoint of biodiversity.
Q2
According to the media, there are some reports which say "Japan has abandoned efforts to get Mt. Fuji accepted as a World Natural Heritage Site due to environmental problems including the illegal dumping of garbage." Was that the reason for Mt. Fuji not to be recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site?
A
It would be understandable if the slogan "Mt. Fuji is not recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site due to the garbage problem" is used for Mt. Fuji clean-up campaigns. However, this is not the correct reason why Mt. Fuji was not designated as a World Natural Heritage Site. In order to be recognized as a World Natural Heritage Site, it is necessary to meet at least one of the following four criteria: (1) natural beauty, (2) geological processes and geomorphic features, (3) ecosystems, and (4) biodiversity. In addition, it is also necessary to meet the criterion of "integrity" such as being a pristine ecosystem. Mt. Fuji is a very beautiful composite volcano from the viewpoints of (1) natural beauty and (2) geological processes and geomorphic features. However, various volcanos including Mt. Tongariro in New Zealand were already listed as World Natural Heritage Sites when the registration of Mt. Fuji was discussed in 1994. In case that Mt. Fuji is evaluated in view of (3) ecosystems and (4) biodiversity, the ecosystems at the base of Mt. Fuji such as the Aokigahara forest have to be taken into consideration. But the base of Mt. Fuji is already too developed to meet the criteria of integrity and pristine ecosystems. Problems of garbage and restrooms can be solved if we make efforts, but we would have to say that Mt. Fuji would no longer meet the World Natural Heritage Site and integrity criteria as we have already developed Mt. Fuji too much.
Q3
Mt Fuji was designated as a World "Cultural Heritage" Site. In order to pass the nature and culture of Mt. Fuji on to future generations, what should we, citizens, do?
A
When Mt. Fuji was recognized as a "World Cultural Heritage Site," numerous requirements were agreed on at the World Heritage Committee. The requirements include the aspect of national park management "to plan to complete the development of a Visitor Management Strategy based on research about carrying capacities for the routes." In order to meet these requirements, I think we have no choice but to require visitors to "inevitably and definitely make reservations in advance whenever they climb Mt. Fuji." The Governments of both Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, which Mt Fuji straddles, are requesting visitors to pay fees for the environmental conservation of Mt. Fuji. These fees can be paid through websites as well. At this stage, many visitors pay the fees at the stations, but if advance payers increase to avoid rushes, we can get even closer to a full advance paying system. As well as taking garbage back home and preparing portable toilets, we can make various efforts such as through avoiding the weekends just after the first day of climbing season to visit Mt. Fuji, observing regulations for the limited use of private cars, not start mountain climbing from the 5th station (to avoid car use), or going down Mt. Fuji and enjoying nature at the base. These various ways of enjoying Mt. Fuji will also contribute to the environmental conservation of Mt. Fuji.
Thank you very much, Prof. Yoshida.
