Mount Fuji Gets Season's 1st Snowcap

Kofu, Yamanashi Pref., Oct. 26 (Jiji Press)--A snowcap was observed on Mount Fuji for the first time this season on Wednesday morning, tying the record late date since the survey began in 1894. The appearance of snow on top of Japan's tallest peak was 29 days later than average and 15 days later than last year, according to the Kofu Meteorological Office. The previous record late date was set in 1956. The office cited higher-than-usual temperatures last month and this month as a reason for the delayed observation. Rains that fell at the foot of Mount Fuji from Tuesday morning through the small hours of Wednesday became snow on its summit, said an official of the Kofu Meteorological Office. Staff members of the office conduct the annual snowcap survey by visually examining the top of the mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage site. END