Japanese Climbers seek 'day of mountains'

[7summits]

FUJINOMIYA, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) In the shadow of Mount Fuji, veteran climber Junko Tabei (7summiteer) and other delegates to a forum on Saturday adopted a message calling for the establishment of a "day of mountains" in Japan.

About 1,200 people, including Tabei and Environment Minister Hiroshi Oki, participated in the forum in Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture. It was aimed at preserving the environment of the 3,776-meter mountain and other mountains in Japan.

In a speech, Tabei cited human waste on Mount Fuji and Mount Everest as major problems, and she urged delegates to join her in protecting mountains for generations to come.

The forum was part of events to mark the "International Year of Mountains" advanced by the United Nations.

The Japan Times: July 8, 2002
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