Head of Swiss euthanasia firm dies while climbing Mount Fuji; 99-year-old woman rescued - CBS News

What the report says

CBS News reported that a 58-year-old Swiss man died after losing consciousness while hiking Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, in what authorities described as the second fatality in a week during the current climbing season. Police told AFP that rescuers resuscitated the man and took him to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

The Swiss assisted-dying organization Exit identified him as Bernhard Sutter, its managing director, and said he suffered a medical emergency while on a family vacation in Japan. Exit said Sutter had close family connections to Japan and offered condolences to his wife and young family. The Fuji hiking season began July 1; CBS reported that a 65-year-old Japanese man also died on July 17 after reportedly falling and hitting his head.

In a separate rescue on the mountain, police said 99-year-old Tome Sagawa of Japan was saved after she was injured while attempting the climb and spent the night in a mountain hut. A police spokesperson urged hikers to turn back if weather or health concerns arise and to choose plans that match their experience and fitness.

The incidents come amid continuing concerns over crowding and safety on the 12,388-foot volcano, a major destination for domestic and foreign hikers. CBS noted that Japanese authorities have tightened access rules after problems involving underprepared climbers, littering and damage to the alpine environment. Yamanashi Prefecture introduced a 4,000-person daily cap and a climbing fee on the popular Yoshida Trail in 2024, with the fee doubled in 2025, while neighboring Shizuoka also added charges for its three routes.