Shizuoka Gov. Heita Kawakatsu is considering the introduction of an "entrance fee" for climbers scaling Mount Fuji and may even limit their numbers as part of efforts to preserve its environment and landscape.
"Environment protection requires money. We need to think of ways to collect funds and how to use them for (environmental) conservation," Kawakatsu said Friday.
The prefectural governments of Shizuoka and Yamanashi, whose border is straddled by Japan's highest mountain, have been discussing the idea, although such details as the final cost have yet to be decided, Shizuoka officials said.
The central government has asked UNESCO to register Mount Fuji as a World Heritage cultural site. A final decision by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is expected this year.