Japanese Climber, 102, Sets Mount Fuji Record

A 102-year-old Japanese man, despite battling a serious heart condition, has been officially recognised as the oldest person to climb Mount Fuji. Yet, in his own words, the achievement was “nothing special.”

Kokichi Akuzawa, born in 1923, reached the 3,776-metre (12,388 feet) summit of Japan’s highest and most iconic peak in early August, a feat later certified by Guinness World Records.

Akuzawa, a retired livestock farmer from the central Gunma region, is no stranger to the mountains. He has made climbing part of his weekly routine, which helped him prepare for this monumental ascent.

“I am six years older than the last time I climbed,” he told AFP, recalling his previous Mount Fuji climb at age 96.

“I have been there and seen the view many times, it wasn’t anything special. I reached the summit last time too.”

Despite his modesty, his persistence and resilience have captured international attention.

Akuzawa’s journey was not without obstacles. Earlier this year, in January, he tripped while walking up a mountain near his home. Following that incident, he fell ill with shingles and was later hospitalised with heart failure. His deteriorating condition raised concerns among his family.

However, his daughter, Yukiko (75), told AFP that her father was determined to attempt the climb.

“The recovery was so fast that his doctors could not believe it,” Yukiko said.

To regain his strength, Akuzawa established a strict routine:

• Early morning walks: One hour each day.
• Weekly mountain climbs: Continued almost without fail.

The climb up Mount Fuji was stretched across three days, with Akuzawa resting two nights in mountain huts. The high altitude posed a significant challenge and nearly forced him to abandon the attempt.

But with sheer determination—and the vital support of his companions, including his nurse granddaughter—he pressed on and ultimately reached the summit.

In addition to hiking, Akuzawa leads an active and fulfilling life. He volunteers at an elderly care centre and also teaches painting. His dedication to both physical and creative pursuits has inspired many around him.

When asked if he wished to attempt Mount Fuji again, Akuzawa gave a firm and decisive reply: “No.”

At 102, after setting a world record and proving his resilience, Kokichi Akuzawa appears content to leave Mount Fuji as a mountain he has already conquered more than once.