At least 12 climbers have died in Japan over a long weekend of public holidays during which mountaineers traditionally flock to difficult peaks.
Deaths over the four-day holiday, which finished on Tuesday, were reported in climbing spots across Japan's Northern Alps, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said, including Toyama, Nagano and Gifu prefectures, as well as in other mountainous regions.
Among the dead was a 69-year-old housewife who fell about 50 metres from a ridge on the 1423-metre Mount Arafune in Gunma prefecture.
Separately, two men, a 68-year-old medical worker and a 46-year-old banker, were found dead after their three-strong party were caught in bad weather.
The trio made an emergency call on Monday night saying they had lost their way on the 3190-metre Mount Okuhotakadake in Gifu prefecture.
"They tried to bivouac but their shelter was blown off by a strong wind," police officer Hideki Shibata told AFP, adding it appeared the cold might have killed them.
Two men, a 19-year-old National Defence Academy student and his 29-year-old adviser, were found dead after falling up to 400 metres from a ridge on the 3110-metre Mount Karasawadake, Shibata said.
The Northern Alps are popular for their natural beauty but also known for being reasonably difficult to climb, with many peaks still covered in snow.
Unconfirmed media reports said a 23-year-old soldier was found unconscious after falling while climbing Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak.
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