Fuji In Japan Research Articles

Different Influencing Factors for Risk of Falls Between Men and Women while Descending from Mount Fuji.

Annually, approximately 250,000 people climb Mount Fuji in Japan. Nonetheless, only few studies have examined the prevalence of falls and related factors on Mount Fuji. We conducted a questionnaire survey of 1061 participants (703 men and 358 women) who had climbed Mount Fuji. The following information was collected: age, height, body weight, luggage weight, experience on Mount Fuji, experience on other mountains, presence or absence of a tour guide, single-day climber or overnight-stay lodger, information on the downhill trail (volcanic gravel, long distance, and the risk of falls), presence or absence of trekking poles, shoe type, shoe sole condition, and fatigue feeling. The fall rate in women (174/358; 49%) was greater than that in men (246/703; 35%). A prediction model using multiple logistic regression (no fall, 0; fall, 1) indicated that the following factors decreased the risk of falls: male sex, younger age, previous experience on Mount Fuji, having information about long-distance downhill trails, wearing hiking shoes or mountaineering boots rather than other types of shoes (eg, running shoes, sneakers) or worn-out shoes, and not feeling fatigued. Additionally, the following factors may decrease the risk of falls in women only: experience hiking on any other mountains, not being part of a guided tour, and using trekking poles. Women had a higher risk of falls on Mount Fuji than men. Specifically, having less experience on any other mountains, being part of a guided tour, and nonuse of trekking poles may relate to higher risks of falls in women. These results suggest that different precautionary measures for men and women are useful.

The fine-scale genetic structure and dispersal ability of the mayfly Ecdyonurus yoshidae Takahashi (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae) in the Sagami River system, southern Kanto Region, Japan

• The Sagami River has its source at Lake Yamanaka near Mount Fuji in Japan. • We studied the genetic structure of Mayfly Ecdyonurus yoshidae . • Two haplogroups occur in the Sagami river. • One haplogroup spread throughout the river system. • Another haplogroup may have migrated from an adjacent catchment. Aquatic organisms frequently exhibit clear genetic structures over their distribution ranges. In a previous study, we showed that the mayfly Ecdyonurus yoshidae Takahashi also showed genetic delimitations in the Japanese archipelago. In this paper, we studied the dispersal and migration of this species using the fine-scale genetic structure and historical demographic dynamics in the Sagami River system using the DNA barcoding region mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequence ( COI ). We detected two major haplogroups constructed from 44 distinct haplotypes in 226 specimens collected from 24 sampling sites. From the highest altitude of 530 m to the lowest of 7 m, the dominant haplotype was widespread throughout the rivers and the six tributaries and even spread to isolated microhabitats upstream. We did not observe genetic differentiation among the six tributaries and 24 sampling sites. Consequently, we estimated that the population occurring in the entire river system is maintained as a meta-population by suitable small-scale habitats. We found that E. yoshidae might be capable of crossing areas with unsuitable habitats, such as gorges and rapid streams. Furthermore, one haplogroup experienced population expansion—which affected the genetic structure across the Sagami River system—and another haplogroup might have migrated from an adjacent catchment.

Origin of the intense positive and moderate negative atmospheric electric field variations measured during and after Antarctic blizzards

There is an atmospheric electric field (AEF) or an electric potential gradient (PG) in fair weather between the Earth's surface and the mesosphere/ionosphere, which is positive. During blizzards/snowstorms in the polar regions, an intense positive AEF/PG in the order of 103 V/m of the same polarity in fair weather was observed using an electric field mill at 1.4 m in height. In contrast, a moderately negative AEF/PG variation after a blizzard was observed in 2015 at Syowa Station, Antarctica. The negative variation, where the magnitude ranged from tens to hundreds of V/m, gradually recovered into the positive AEF/PG for more than 40 min. According to various studies on blowing/drifting snow dynamics and electricity in laboratory experiments and field observations, snow particles colliding with the snow surface are charged, and the charge of suspended and saltating particles during the snowstorm is negative on average. To verify the AEF/PG observed during and after the blizzards, we numerically estimated the electric field surrounding the conductive sensor unit of the electric field mill using a three-dimensional Poisson equation. Under blizzard conditions, the polarity of the estimated AEF/PG was the opposite of that of the observed AEF/PG. From the noise study of the field mill, we deduced that the positive AEF/PG variations were caused by the collision of negatively charged snow particles with the electric probe on the sensor unit. Just after the blizzard, the number of snow particles measured at 4.4 m in height clearly decreased, and the camera image showed clear visibility. From this evidence, we modeled the suspended and saltating negatively charged snow particles that had fallen onto the ground surface and then constructed a charge layer of the snow particles softly attaching to the ground, which slowly discharged following the study on the electrical resistance of the powders. The three-dimensional Poisson calculation based on the model reproduced a moderately negative AEF/PG. Thus, we elucidated that the origins of the intense positive and moderate negative electric fields during and after blizzards are the charged snow particles colliding with the electric probe on the sensor unit and the negative snow layers softly attached to the ground, respectively. These results are applicable to studies on dust storm electrification on Mars' and Earth's deserts, snowstorm electrification in the polar regions, and high mountains, such as Mt. Fuji in Japan, and turbulent electrification for industrial dust, which provides the identification of intense electrification and storms.

Design of parametric risk transfer solutions for volcanic eruptions: an application to Japanese volcanoes

Abstract. Volcanic eruptions are rare but potentially catastrophic phenomena, affecting societies and economies through different pathways. The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland, a medium-sized ash-fall-producing eruption, caused losses in the range of billions of dollars, mainly to the aviation and tourism industries. Financial risk transfer mechanisms such as insurance are used by individuals, companies, governments, etc., to protect themselves from losses associated with natural catastrophes. In this work, we conceptualize and design a parametric risk transfer mechanism to offset losses to building structures arising from large, ash-fall-producing volcanic eruptions. Such a transfer mechanism relies on the objective measurement of physical characteristics of volcanic eruptions that are correlated with the size of resulting losses (in this case, height of the eruptive column and predominant direction of ash dispersal) in order to pre-determine payments to the risk cedent concerned. We apply this risk transfer mechanism to the case of Mount Fuji in Japan by considering a potential risk cedent such as a regional government interested in offsetting losses to dwellings in the heavily populated prefectures of Tokyo and Kanagawa. The simplicity in determining eruptive column height and ash fall dispersal direction makes this design suitable for extrapolation to other volcanic settings worldwide where significant ash-fall-producing eruptions may occur, provided these parameters are reported by an official, reputable agency and a suitable loss model is available for the volcanoes of interest.

Moving down the mountain: pathways for sacred landscape transformation at ancient Epidaurus and Nemea

ABSTRACT This paper explores reciprocal relationships between landscape, human attention, and time. I present two sacred landscapes: Epidaurus and Nemea, located in Greece's northeastern Peloponnese. In both landscapes, worshipers created sanctuaries on prominent mountains. Eventually, their attention shifted downhill where they built larger, monumental sanctuaries on the flat ground. I trace each mountain’s role as a sacred landmark; I question what other social functions they had – if at all – after the new sanctuaries were built. I consider a wide range of evidence. I begin with a comparative example from Mount Fuji in Japan, and move on to archaeological excavation and survey data, ancient testimonials, and modern tourist reviews about the Greek sanctuaries. I also use Geographic Information Systems to quantify each Greek sanctuary’s visual impact in comparison to the surrounding topography. Woven together, these data reveal generations of sacral continuity. The Sanctuary of Asklepios and the Sanctuary of Zeus encircled new sacred temenoi, but worshipers’ collective memory guided their pathways and vision; through human senses, these mountains retained their role as sacred landmarks.

Organic and inorganic nitrogen deposition on the red pine forests at the northern foot of Mt. Fuji, Japan

Abstract In order to clarify the deposition amounts and processes of bioavailable nitrogen species including organic forms on forests, a simultaneous observation of rainfall, throughfall, stemflow, aerosols, and their precursor gases was conducted for a two-year period at a forested site on the northern foot of Mt. Fuji in Japan. About 80–90% of the rainfall waters reached the forest floor via the throughfall process and the remaining fraction can be considered to be intercepted by the forest canopy and not transported to the forest floor. Partitioning of the rainfall waters into stemflow waters was negligible. Deposition amounts of the total dissolved nitrogen by rainfall, throughfall, and stemflow were 2.204, 2.685, and 0.027 mgN m−2 day−1, respectively, on average. Contributions of the water-soluble organic nitrogen (WSON) to the dissolved nitrogen in the rainfall, throughfall, and stemflow deposition were about 51%, 58%, and 75%, respectively. The major fraction of the nitrogen species in the deposition was the organic forms. Among the inorganic nitrogen, the contribution of NH4+-N to the nitrogen deposition was significantly greater than that of NO3−-N in the rainfall deposition, whereas both were comparable in the throughfall deposition. The deposition amounts of NO3−-N and WSON by throughfall were greater than those by rainfall due to the influence of the dry deposition on the canopies and the leaching from trees, whereas the deposition amount of NH4+-N by throughfall was smaller than that by rainfall due to the uptake by trees. About 58% of the net nitrogen deposition on the forest floor, which is defined as the sum of the deposition amounts by the throughfall and stemflow, was explained by the WSON. In the remaining inorganic fraction, the contributions of NO3−-N and NH4+-N to the net nitrogen deposition were comparable, about 20% and 22%, respectively. The nitrogen deposition amount to the forest floor was estimated to be 2.711 mg m−2 day−1, which is equal to the value of the threshold for the condition of “nitrogen saturation” for the forest ecosystems. The modified canopy budget model can estimate that the contributions of the dry deposition to the sum of the dry and wet deposition were about 90%, 64%, 61%, and 22% for NO2−-N, NO3−-N, NH4+-N, and WSON, respectively. The canopy leaching was found only for the WSON, about 72%, 20%, and 8.5% of the net deposition of the WSON can be explained by the wet deposition, dry deposition, and canopy leaching, respectively. The remaining nitrogen compounds showed the canopy uptake. About 10%, 56% and 32% of NO2−-N, NO3−-N, and NH4+-N deposited on the canopy by the wet and dry processes would be transported to the forest floor and the remaining fractions (about 90%, 44%, and 68%, respectively) would be taken into the canopy. Comparisons of the dry deposition amount with the concentration in the surface atmosphere of the nitrogen compounds suggest that the modified canopy budget model can be considered to be better to estimate the amounts of the dry deposition and canopy exchange.

Prevalence of Falls on Mount Fuji and Associated with Risk Factors: A Questionnaire Survey Study.

Since little is known about the detailed situations of falls on Mount Fuji, the aim of this study was to clarify the risk factors of falls on Mount Fuji in Japan. We conducted a questionnaire survey of 556 participants who had climbed Mount Fuji and collected the following information: fall situation, mental status, fatigue feeling, sex, age, climbing experience on Mount Fuji and other mountains, summit success, whether staying at a lodge, use of a tour guide, and symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Among the 556 participants, 167 had a fall (30%). Among 167 participants who had experienced a fall, 30 had fallen more than three times (18%). The main cause (>60%) of fall were slips. The most optimal model using multiple logistic regression (no fall = 0, and fall = 1) found eight significant risk factors, including sex, prior climbing experience on Mount Fuji, staying overnight at a lodge, subjective feeling of relaxation, sleepiness, emotional stability, dullness, and eyestrain. These results suggest that females, people who have no prior climbing experience on Mount Fuji, and people who did not stay at a lodge should pay attention to an increased risk of falls on Mount Fuji.

Genetic structure of Pinus parviflora on Mt. Fuji in relation to the hoarding behavior of the Japanese nutcracker

AbstractPinus parviflora (Japanese white pine) is distributed along a wide range of altitudes between 1100 and 2500 m above sea level (asl) on the northwestern slope of Mt. Fuji in Japan. The seeds of P. parviflora are presumed to be dispersed from the mountainous area to the timberline by the Japanese nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes var. japonica). We aimed to clarify the effect of the nutcracker on the genetic diversity and structures of P. parviflora populations on Mt. Fuji. Leaf samples were collected from eight populations at altitudes between 1100 and 2500 m asl. Using 11 microsatellite markers, we investigated the genetic diversity and structures of P. parviflora populations on Mt. Fuji. The average expected heterozygosity (HE), allelic richness (Ar), and inbreeding coefficients (FIS) of the P. parviflora populations on Mt. Fuji were 0.66, 1.66, and 0.14, respectively, suggesting a lower genetic diversity in comparison with those of P. parviflora populations in other regions of Japan. The genetic structure of the population at the lowest altitude of 1100 m was significantly different from that of the other populations. However, certain individuals in the populations at higher altitudes (2300–2500 m asl) were likely derived from populations at lower altitudes (1100–1500 m asl), probably because of the hoarding behavior of the nutcracker. Our results indicate that seeds carried from low altitudes by nutcrackers have become established at the timberline and have contributed to expanding the distribution and maintaining the genetic diversity of P. parviflora on Mt. Fuji.

Impact of Sleeping Altitude on Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness on Mt. Fuji.

We sought to investigate the factors influencing acute mountain sickness (AMS) on Mt. Fuji in Japan, in particular, to assess the effects of sleeping altitude, by means of a questionnaire survey. This study involved 1932 participants who climbed Mt. Fuji, and obtained information regarding sex, age, and whether participants stayed at the mountain lodges. The AMS survey excluded the perceived sleep difficulties assessed with the Lake Louise Scoring (LLS) system for all climbers. The overall prevalence of AMS was 31.6% for all participants (LLS score ≥3 with headache, excluding sleep difficulties). A univariate analysis revealed that overnight stay at Mt. Fuji was associated with an increased prevalence of AMS, but that sex and age were not. For overnight lodgers, the mean sleeping altitude in participants with AMS was slightly higher than that in participants without AMS (p < 0.05). Moreover, participants who stayed above 2870 m were more likely to experience AMS than those who stayed below 2815 m (p < 0.001), but sex and age were not significantly associated with the probability of experiencing AMS. Staying overnight at a mountain lodge, especially one above 2870 m, may be associated with an increased prevalence of AMS on Mt. Fuji.

Mycorrhiza and primary succession

The importance of mycorrhizal fungi for soil formation and carbon sequestration has been highlighted in recent research. Here we discuss these findings in relation to primary successions by use of data from Surtsey and from lava fields around Mount Fuji in Japan.

Possible altitude and temperature limits on pine wilt disease: the reproduction of vector sawyer beetles (Monochamus alternatus), survival of causal nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), and occurrence of damage caused by the disease

Pine wilt disease is caused by the pine wood nematode [Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle]. In East Asia, an important vector of the nematode is Monochamusalternatus Hope. We determined the tolerance and reproductive ability of sawyer beetles and the nematode to altitude and temperature at elevations between 850 and 1,450 m on Mt. Fuji in Japan. The number of emergent adults decreased markedly along the altitudinal gradient, but the beetle could still reproduce at 1,050 m (8.2 °C annual mean temperature). Beetles with a 2-year life cycle increased rapidly in number with increasing altitude. The pine wood nematode survived through winter at all altitudes tested (850–1,450 m). The beetle population decreased between 950 (9.1 °C) and 1,150 m (8.3 °C). Therefore, the beetle population seems to be stable at 850 m (10.2 °C) and lower altitudes (higher temperatures) but cannot be maintained from 950 (9.1 °C) to 1,150 m (8.3 °C) without constant immigration of beetles from lower altitudes. The beetles could not reproduce at altitudes above 1,150 m (lower than 8.2 °C). From the mean and effective cumulative temperatures, we concluded that the beetle (and its population) can endure temperatures lower than those previously reported. Pine wilt disease also occurred at lower temperatures and higher altitudes than expected. We have summarized the principal strategies for controlling the disease at high altitudes based on these results.

Seasonal and interannual variation in net ecosystem production of an evergreen needleleaf forest in Japan

Carbon dioxide (CO2) flux was measured above the forest at the Fujiyoshida site on the northern slope of Mount Fuji in Japan in 2000–2008 using an eddy covariance technique. The forest mainly consists of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) and Japanese holly (Ilex pedunculosa). The 9-year average of monthly mean net ecosystem production (NEP) ranged from −0.1…−2 day−1 in January to 2.5…−2 day−1 in May. The maximum net uptake was observed in May, although gross primary production (GPP) was highest in July. Variation in the leaf amount did not notably affect seasonal variation in GPP. This site was characterized by carbon uptake even in winter, if the meteorological conditions were conducive for photosynthesis and a resulting long period of carbon uptake. The 9-year averages of annual NEP, GPP, and ecosystem respiration (RE) were 388, 1,802, and 1,413…−2 year−1, respectively. The annual NEP was lowest in 2003 and highest in 2004 over the 9 years. Year-to-year variability of NEP mainly depended on air temperature and photosynthetically active radiation in summer, and the dependence of the deviation of annual NEP on that of GPP was greater than that of RE. Long-term observational data indicated that the carbon uptake ability at the study site was at a moderate level in comparison with other temperate humid evergreen forests around the world. These data also indicated that the site had a high carbon uptake ability compared with other deciduous forests in Japan because of the duration of carbon uptake.

Changes in Air Temperatures on Mount Fuji, Japan

The changes in air temperatures on Mount (Mt.) Fuji, Japan were evaluated. Various parameters of air temperatures on Mt Fuji in Japan were obtained from Japan Metrological Agency. Parameters of air temperatures were positively correlated with years on Mt. Fuji. In addition, the number of days under –24°C in January was negatively correlated with years. Global warming was also proved on Mt. Fuji in Japan, especially in winter. Therefore, we need to deal with global warming effect.

Microminipig, a Non-rodent Experimental Animal Optimized for Life Science Research: Preface

Fuji Micra Inc. has recently achieved success in a challenging and prospective project that produces the smallest pig in the world, the “Microminipig”, at a breeding farm at the foothills of Mt. Fuji in Japan. Microminipigs weigh approximately 7.0 kg at 6 months of age when they are mature. Microminipigs have been provided to several research organizations in Japan as a nonrodent experimental animal optimized for life science research.

Isolation of compound microsatellite loci in the herbaceous perennial Cirsium purpuratum (Maxim.) Matsum.

The herbaceous perennial Cirsium purpuratum is a pioneer on the southeast side of Mount Fuji in Japan. For genetic analysis of reproduction in this species, we developed polymorphic compound microsatellite markers using an adaptor-ligated library method and a simpler method called the intercompound microsatellite method. The latter method was an effective method for developing compound simple sequence repeat markers. In total, 11 polymorphic, codominant microsatellite markers were developed and characterized for this species. These polymorphic markers had three to 20 alleles per locus, a range of observed heterozygosity from 0.25 to 0.90, and were considered effective for genetic analysis.

Geochemical record of U and Th isotopes in bottom sediments of Lake Kawaguchi at the foot of Mt. Fuji, Central Japan

Sediment cores from Lake Kawaguchi at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Japan were analyzed for U and Th isotopes (238U, 234U, 232Th, 230Th and 228Th) in the light of the linkage to paleoenvironmental changes. These isotopic concentrations and their ratios varied widely with depth of sediment core. A marked disequilibrium (1.1–1.5) higher than the value of 1.0 was observed for 234U/238U activity ratios, indicating that U from lake water with high 234U/238U ratio (ca. 1.6) was transferred to the bottom sediment by adsorption and/or adhesion onto the settling particles. By using model equations, the U found in the sediment core was separated into lithogenous and autogenous U fractions. These depth profiles were compared with parameters such as organic matter and biogenic-SiO2 contents and amount of rainfall. Some variations of selected parameters with depth coincided with those of lithogenous or autogenous U. The results obtained suggest that variation in the lithogenous and/or autogenous U in the sediment with depth might be helpful in tracing the geochemical behavior of U and the past environmental changes in the area surrounding Lake Kawaguchi.

Accumulation of radiocesium in wild mushrooms collected from a Japanese forest and cesium uptake by microorganisms isolated from the mushroom-growing soils

Mushrooms and soils samples collected from a sub-alpine forest of Mt. Fuji in Japan were measured for 137Cs and stable Cs. The ranges of 137Cs specific activities and stable Cs concentrations in the mushrooms were 291–7950 Bq kg −1 dry weight and 4.69–58.1 mg kg −1 dry weight, respectively. Both 137Cs specific activities and stable Cs concentrations in the mushrooms were higher than those in common agricultural plants. The 137Cs specific activities and stable Cs concentrations in the soils were 3.18–149 Bq kg −1 dry weight and 0.618–2.18 mg kg −1 dry weight, respectively. The appearance frequencies of filamentous actinomycetes and planktonic bacteria from the soils decreased according to increasing Cs contents in the medium. No relationship was observed between the appearance frequencies of those and the stable Cs concentrations in the soils. The filamentous actinomycetes from any soil sample could not grow in the presence of 25 mM Cs, although the planktonic bacteria from the soil samples could grow with up to 50 mM Cs in YM agar. In addition, the planktonic bacteria from approximately 70% of the soil samples could grow even in the presence of 100 mM Cs. Filamentous actinomycetes were more sensitive to Cs than planktonic bacteria. In in vitro experiments, Cs uptake by these strains of filamentous actinomycetes and planktonic bacteria was high in the presence of 5 mM CsCl and the strains accumulated Cs, the same as in mushrooms. Our results indicate that filamentous actinomycetes in the soils have higher sensitivity to Cs than planktonic bacteria, and several strains of filamentous actinomycetes have a high Cs accumulation in the presence of 5 mM Cs.

Genetic structure of Cenococcum geophilum populations in primary successional volcanic deserts on Mount Fuji as revealed by microsatellite markers

Polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to investigate the genetic structure in a Cenococcum geophilum population associated with Salix reinii in an early successional volcanic desert at Gotenba, on the south-eastern slope of Mount Fuji in Japan, and in three other populations associated with the same host at more developed sites on the mountain, one at Fujinomiya and two at Subashiri. The genotype richness of C. geophilum tended to be higher in more developed vegetation patches as well as in more developed sites, suggesting that genotype richness increased with advanced succession because new genotypes might have been introduced into these sites over time. High genotypic similarity was observed between the Gotenba and Fujinomiya populations but not between the Gotenba and Subashiri populations, suggesting that C. geophilum genotypes in Gotenba were introduced from the direction of Fujinomiya. Genotypes in the Gotenba population were clearly distinguishable into two groups. The absence of any intermediate genotype suggests the absence of frequent recombination in this C. geophilum population associated with early successional vegetation.

A Case of Brood Parasitism of Olive-backed Pipits Anthus hodgsoni by the Horsfield's Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus fugax

We report a case of brood parasitism to the Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni by the Horsfield's Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus fugax on Mount Fuji in Japan. The hawk cuckoo lays its eggs, mainly in the nests of the Blue-and-white Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana, Siberian Blue Robin Luscinia cyane and Red-flanked Bushrobin Tarsiger cyanurus. There has been only one clear report that the Olive-backed Pipit was parasitized by the hawk-cuckoo. Our report is a presumable second case.

A Study on Characteristics of Local Mt. Fuji in Japan

A Study on Characteristics of Local Mt. Fuji in Japan