Cleaning up Fujisan to prepare for its Inscription on the World Heritage List

Clean up operations simultaneously implemented in various areas of Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefecture to prepare Fujisan for its inscription on the World Heritage List

On August 11th, a major clean up operation took place in various areas in Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefecture to prepare Fujisan（Mount Fuji） for its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Up until now, local groups have played a central role in keeping Mount Fuji clean over the years. With the nomination of Mt. Fuji for inscription on the World Heritage List by the Government of Japan this January, a cleanup operation was simultaneously carried out in the areas near the summit of Mount Fuji, the entrances of the Yoshida, Gotemba, and Subashiri Trails, and the areas  around Lake Kawaguchiko.

Former MEXT Minister Hirofumi Hirano also participated in the opening ceremony of the clean up in Yamanashi Prefecture. Minister Hirano offered his words of encouragement to the participants and took part in the cleanup activities  around Lake Kawaguchiko. He also appealed to visiting tourists for their participation.

According to an announcement by the Ministry of the Environment, 3,528 people participated in this year's event, collecting a total of 892.8 kg of garbage. MEXT hopes these activities will increase people's awareness towards protecting the environment so that the precious Mount Fuji will be kept clean and inherited to future generations.

 taken from The Monthly Journal of MEXT, OCTOBER 2012 No.155 issue