UNESCO advisory panel welcomes Mt. Fuji railway concept

YAMANASHI, Oct 26 (NHK) - A UNESCO advisory body has welcomed a local government proposal for a new railway for Mount Fuji, a World Heritage site in central Japan.

The highest peak in Japan was registered as a World Heritage site in 2013. It straddles the central Japanese prefectures of Shizuoka and Yamanashi.

Local officials need to address a range of challenges facing the mountain, including overcrowding and traffic jams.

The Yamanashi prefectural government drew up the concept in February last year to build a railway on an existing road, connecting the foot of Mount Fuji with the fifth station. Visitors start their climb to the peak there. ...continue reading