Concern at Changing Shape Of Fujiyama

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31781, 11 September 1968, Page 14

Concern at Changing Shape Of Fujiyama

Japan has withstood many calamities throughout the centuries, but nothing is more appalling than the realisation that there is now something radically wrong with Mount Fuji. The majestic peak, which is the symbol of the entire nation, has developed a deep fissure on its western side.

The crack, which has been caused by continuous landslides of volcanic ash and rock, extends from near the crater at the top to about halfway down the slope. It

is already quite deep and very wide. There is no longer any question about it: Mount Fuji’s face must be lifted, reports the Pacific Area Travel Association. For centuries now, the erosion of Fujiyama has been a daily way of life. Although it will also be a few centuries from now before the mountain really loses its present perfect shape, a definite change is already noticeable. Local geologists predict that in less than 100 years the mountain’s symmetrical peak will become jagged. At first a V-shaped dent will divide the apex into two distinct points, but if drastic measures are not taken immediately, Mount Fuji cannot remain the perfect symbol of this country. Not all of the concern over the erosion is aesthetic, however. Because about 300 tons of earth and rock roll down every day, the constant landslides endanger all the small towns at the foot of the west side of the mountain. Because of this, precious farm land is being ruined, and rivers are silting up, although retaining walls have been built into the mountainside in an effort to prevent further damage. The Government already has a five-year plan to build more embankments, but the villagers are not too encouraged by the plan: they know from experience that a heavy rainfall can completely wash away such walls. Now they are campaigning for more workable solutions.

It is acknowledged by the Construction Ministry that a huge work project must begin near Mount Fuji’s top. There is a plan that calls for building embankments on both sides of the sliding area, and more retaining walls will be erected along the slopes. It is estimated that in order to make the plan work, however, the cost will be at least $l6O million, and the Finance Ministry does not have a budget for this. In one drastic measure, some erosion-control experts and a group of geologists have formed an advisory council with the governors of the prefectures surrounding Mount Fuji. They are busily plotting measures to combat the landslides, and hoping to find ways, means and the money to convince ministry officials to

take definite steps towards solving this problem.

The current debate over preserving the face of the mountain has aroused controversy among some naturalists here. They admit that combating erosion to protect farmlands is one thing, but they do not like the idea of trying to change nature's plans. Because they are themselves

noted for their own plans to change nature in some ways, their resistance is meeting with scepticism in other quarters. Mount Fuji is held in deep reverence by the residents of Japan, and when this situation finally breaks into the open there, considerable violence will undoubtedly erupt over so sacred a matter.