Kokichi Akuzawa, a 102-year-old Japanese man, became the oldest person to summit Mount Fuji, Japan’s tallest and most iconic peak. His achievement has been officially recognized by the Guinness World Records, showcasing that age is no barrier to remarkable human endurance.
Key Highlights
- Name: Kokichi Akuzawa
- Age: 102 years (Born in 1923, Nagano prefecture, Japan)
- Event: Became the oldest man to climb Mount Fuji (12,388 ft / 3,776 m).
- Date: August 5, 2025.
- Recognition: Guinness World Record.
- Companions: Climbed with his 70-year-old daughter, her husband, and friends.
- Duration: Took 3 days to complete the climb.
- Past Achievement: Held the same record earlier at age 96 in 2019, despite previous health struggles (heart problems, shingles, climbing injury).
- Significance: Demonstrates human resilience, longevity, and determination.
About Mount Fuji
- Local name: Fuji-san.
- Type: Active stratovolcano.
- Height: 3,776 m (12,388 ft) – Japan’s tallest peak.
- Location: Yamanashi & Shizuoka prefectures, Honshu island.
- Proximity: ~100 km west of Tokyo.
- Volcanic history: Last erupted in 1707–1708 (Hoei eruption).
- Geological background:
- Formed within the last 2.6 million years.
- Built upon older mountains like Komitake (north slope) & Ashitaka-yama (southeast).
- Cultural & Spiritual Significance:
- One of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains” (with Mount Tate & Mount Haku).
- Central to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (est. 1936).
- Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2013) for cultural importance.
- Global Ranking:
- 7th highest island mountain in the world.
- 2nd highest island volcano in Asia.
Significance of the Feat
- Inspiration for Ageing Population: Demonstrates physical fitness and active ageing.
- Symbol of Determination: Breaking his own record at 96 and now again at 102.
- Tourism & Global Attention: Brings Mount Fuji into international headlines.
- Cultural Symbolism: Reinforces Mount Fuji’s status as a site of pilgrimage and endurance.
Key Facts
- Capital of Japan: Tokyo.
- Currency of Japan: Yen.
- Prime Minister of Japan (2025): Fumio Kishida.
- Guinness World Records: Established in 1955 in London, UK.
- World’s oldest active volcano climber before Akuzawa: Himself at 96 years (2019).