Japanese Store Near Mount Fuji Issues Apology Amid Increasing Tourism Concerns.

By Caroline Ameh

In response to escalating concerns over  increasing tourism at a picturesque spot near Mount Fuji, Lawson’s, a renowned Japanese convenience store chain, has issued a formal apology on Wednesday.

The apology comes amid mounting frustrations from local residents and businesses in Fujikawaguchiko, a small town in Yamanashi prefecture, which has been inundated with tourists flocking to capture a quintessential shot of Mount Fuji juxtaposed with the modern neon signage of Lawson’s store.

The allure of snapping the perfect selfie against the backdrop of Mount Fuji has transformed Fujikawaguchiko into a magnet for tourists, straining the town’s resources and aggravating residents.

The surge in visitors has prompted drastic measures, including the erection of an eight-foot-tall barrier to deter eager photographers.

While Lawson’s has not actively encouraged visitors to capture images of its store, the company acknowledges its inadvertent role in exacerbating the situation.

Lawson’s expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to local residents, customers, and others due to the popularity of its Kawaguchiko Station Branch.

In addition to the barrier being erected by the town, Lawson’s has pledged to implement measures to curb undesirable tourist behavior. These measures include posting multilingual signs cautioning against littering, obstructing traffic, and other disruptive activities.

Furthermore, the company is contemplating the deployment of private security personnel to oversee the store premises and its surroundings.

The surge in tourism, dubbed “revenge travel,” following Japan’s post-pandemic reopening in late 2022, has placed immense pressure on popular destinations like Fujikawaguchiko. March 2024 witnessed record-breaking tourist numbers, with over three million travelers inundating the country, many converging on iconic sites such as Kyoto’s historic alleys and Mount Fuji’s hiking trails.

However, the influx of tourists has taken its toll on Mount Fuji’s delicate ecosystem, raising concerns among local authorities about erosion, littering, and environmental degradation. Efforts to regulate tourism at the UNESCO World Heritage site have been intensified, with calls for stricter measures to safeguard its natural integrity.

Fujikawaguchiko’s plight is not an isolated case, as other Japanese tourist hotspots grapple with similar challenges. In Kyoto’s Gion neighborhood, clashes between tourists and locals have erupted over disruptive behaviors, prompting local authorities to issue warnings and educational materials to mitigate tensions.