Travel company head apologizes for hikers' deaths in Hokkaido

Monday 20th July, 07:00 AM JST

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9 Comments

bushlover at 09:38 AM JST - 20th July

Bad decisions all around but also conflicting reports from the survivors. If the hikers complained "I'm cold. I'm cold" then I'd say it was their own responsibility to ensure they were prepared for mountain conditions. If they didn't bring sufficient clothing that is their fault and the guides should have made sure that they had it with them too. Too much complacency on the hikers and guides parts. The company has no responsibility for the lacking in professionalism that the guides had as in their minds they hired qualified persons for the job. They can't help the failings these supposed pros display in the field.
Mookoo at 09:56 AM JST - 20th July

Did they hire professional guides, with adequate experience and certifications? I haven't seen it reported one way or the other.
seesaw at 09:59 AM JST - 20th July

I found the Japanese are not so good at handling crisis. Even at work. Once something out of normal happened they seem to panic and make silly decisions. And decisions are often short-termed. I guess the guide went panic and didn't know what else to do except what he read in the procedure manual and what had been taught by his Senpai....

Survivors' conflicting comments just show a typical J culture. Ki o tsukau ...maybe...
30061015 at 10:22 AM JST - 20th July

tour guides did not offer an explanation about the weather forecast

??? This is unforgivable. These are "guides"?! Even with a good forecast, you don't challenge fate. Looks like a case of, "they paid their money so the show must go on." The blind leading the blind. Totally unprepared hikers putting their faith in inept guides.

Flat out, you just don't go into the mountains when you know the forecast calls for rain and cold. Hypothermia kills very quickly when it is windy/rainy/snowy.

Summer mountains are deceptive and unforgiving. You can get away with unprepared hikes for a while, but eventually you will learn the hard way. I've been caught in August snow in the mountains.That was my first lesson. One minute it was sunny, the next, there was wind and wet snow coming down hard. In no time I was soaked and shivering uncontrollably. Thankfully, I had a for sure way to make a fire. When you are cold to the bone, a roaring fire can save your life.
outofmydepth at 10:25 AM JST - 20th July

two words - gross negligence.
NuckinFutz at 01:03 PM JST - 20th July

A professional guide uses a process called risk management analysis and is 100% responsible for the safety of his charges. An idiot takes a large group of ill-equipped middle-aged people on a 41.5 kilometer mountain hike in hazardous weather conditions! The deaths are the result of complete stupidity on the part of the idiots people keep refering to as guides!

But, this is Japan! Money talks and safety is of no concern!
Potsu at 03:48 PM JST - 20th July

This is JAPAN,why is anyone even surprised ?
employeeof at 09:32 AM JST - 21st July

yeah-- I live in the area, can still see snow on the daisetsu range.

the locals are pretty pissed off about this whole mess... short mountains, yes, but there is a reason we have the best, deepest powder in hokkaido.
fds at 11:20 AM JST - 21st July

while i believe that every person has the responsibility to look out for themselves (i.e. each hiker should have been prepared to spend a night out in the worst conditions), the guides are ultimately responsible. too bad there is no such thing as professional negligence in japan. look at what doctors here get away with.