Japan experienced a record number of mountain-related accidents in 2020, with 3,623 individuals caught in dangerous situations. The majority of these incidents are related to hikers and climbers underestimating mountainous conditions. Age has also been a factor, with a significant portion of victims being of an age where they might have difficulty physically coping. Rescue efforts, though numerous, struggled to keep pace with the increasing number of incidents.

Japan is a mountainous country, and outdoor activities such as hiking and climbing are popular among its citizens and tourists alike. However, the country's varied and often unpredictable weather, coupled with the challenges of its mountainous terrain, can easily place hikers and climbers in perilous situations. Japanese society places a high emphasis on responsibility and safety, prompting calls for more education around mountain safety.

In the US and the EU, mountain safety is also a critical issue, especially in nations with significant mountainous regions like the US, Switzerland, and Italy. Each country has its own system of managing such incidents, some of which Japan could possibly study for ways to mitigate their own growing problem.