Winter mountaineering practices and competitions involving high school students are being held in at least seven of the 47 prefectures despite a government ban that has many athletic organizations confused, according to a Kyodo News survey released over the weekend.
The survey of athletic bodies and education boards was conducted after an avalanche at a ski resort in Tochigi Prefecture last Monday killed seven high school students and a teacher during winter hiking practice and left dozens injured.
In November, the Japan Sports Agency notified boards of education across the country that the climbing of winter mountains by students of high school age or younger was banned in principle.