Views on what constitutes humane treatment of animals vary widely from country to country, and it is perhaps fair to say that Japan's stance on animal welfare may differ from what is considered acceptable in many Western countries.
This week's query comes from R.M., an overseas tourist who was concerned at the condition of some horses she saw on a recent visit to Mount Fuji. R.M. also sent the photos reprinted here.
I am writing to you about incidences my group witnessed at the fifth and sixth stations of Mount Fuji in August. Tourists can travel on horseback between these two stations. During our ascent and descent, I witnessed what I would consider animal cruelty towards these horses: