抄録
A review of the history of volcanic disaster mitigation on Mount Fuji reveals a notable turning point that occurred between 1999 and 2000. Until around the summer of 1999, local government and tourism officials had maintained a passive stance toward volcanic disaster mitigation; however, their attitude underwent a dramatic shift over the approximately one-year period leading up to July 2000, which subsequently led to the consistent development of volcanic disaster mitigation measures for Mount Fuji.
To investigate the detailed process and causes of this shift, the author collected newspaper articles, administrative documents, and recordings of news programs from that one-year period and the time immediately before and after it. Furthermore, from October 2024 to March 2026, the author conducted interviews via email, telephone, and in-person meetings with several individuals involved at the time (including government officials and media personnel such as news reporters).
The findings revealed that a reporter, recognizing the lack of volcanic disaster mitigation measures for Mount Fuji in 1999, first raised the issue. Although initially met with strong resistance from local stakeholders, this prompted both journalists and government officials to take action, each using their respective positions and means to promote understanding of volcanic disaster mitigation and advance related policies. Furthermore, as local media actively reported on the issue. All these efforts helped foster a social climate conducive to advancing volcanic disaster mitigation measures for Mount Fuji, resulting in a rapid shift in local society.
