International Mountain Day

What Is International Mountain Day?

December 11 is "International Mountain Day," established by a UN General Assembly resolution in 2003. Its goals are to promote the sustainable development of mountain ecosystems, improve the livelihoods of people living in mountainous regions, and raise awareness of the value mountains provide. About 27% of the Earth's land is mountainous, and more than 2 billion people depend on the resources mountains provide.

The Importance of Mountain Regions

• A source of water: An estimated 60–80% of the world's fresh water originates from snow and glaciers in mountainous regions, supplied through rivers and groundwater
• Biodiversity: Mountain regions host unique ecosystems and many endemic species, making them "biodiversity hotspots"
• Culture and religion: Mountains such as Mount Fuji, the Himalayas, and the Alps hold sacred significance for many peoples and religions
• Climate regulation: Snow and ice reflect solar heat, playing a role in regulating the global climate

Japan's Mountains and Mountaineering Culture

• Mount Fuji: Japan's highest peak (3,776 m), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with roughly 200,000–300,000 climbers each year
• The Northern and Southern Japanese Alps: Home to a chain of peaks over 3,000 meters, a popular area for mountaineering and trekking
• The "100 Famous Mountains" boom: Climbing all 100 peaks featured in Kyuya Fukada's book "Nihon Hyakumeizan" (One Hundred Mountains of Japan) is especially popular among middle-aged and older climbers

Climate Change and Mountain Regions

Global warming is causing glaciers around the world to shrink rapidly. In Japan, too, the perennial snowfields of the Tateyama mountain range are gradually disappearing, raising concerns about the impact on water resources and ecosystems. International Mountain Day is also a day to think about protecting mountain environments.