Tourism surge creates 'new challenge' as visitors transform Mt. Fuji into 'trash mountain'

Hokuto Asano, first secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital in an interview that with the influx of tourists, the country is working to meet demand. (See the video at the top of this article.) 

"Overtourism is a new challenge for the Japanese community," said Asano. "So we need to pursue how to create a win-win relationship [between] Japanese local people and foreign tourists."

He added, "But there should be a difference in the taste or preference between Japan and Japanese people and international tourists. There should be a difference in the price and also product or service toward the international tourists."

Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30, nearly 33.4 million travelers visited Japan, according to the country's government site projections. Nearly three million Americans visited the country in 2024.

Asano said the number of visitors last year ended up reaching 36 million and that Japan has a plan to nearly double the number of visitors in the next five years.

"In 2030, we want [to reach] the goal of 60 million people," said Asano.

"We need to share our manner[s] [with those who] visit tourist destinations," said Asano. 

"So we would like [them to] understand [about] bringing back his or her own trash," he said.

Asano suggested that tourists need to be more respectful when visiting Japan.

"We need to share our values with international tourists," he said. 

When it comes to tourists in Japan, it's not just about "the trip," he said. 

Asano added, "Maybe we can share how to enjoy those sacred places or share our tradition."