Climbers tackling Japan's highest mountain will soon able to stay connected thanks to the introduction of free wireless internet.

The new service will start on 10 July and run until September, with wi-fi hotspots at eight sites including the summit, the Asahi Shimbun website reports. Officials say they've had a slew of requests from American and European tourists who want to use the internet while hiking up the mountain, and they're hoping the move will also attract more visitors.

Internet passes will last for 72 hours from the moment a climber first logs on

"We hope people will use the service not only to tell people abroad about the attractions of Mount Fuji, but also to obtain weather and other information to ensure their safety," says a tourism official. Two local authorities worked with a telecoms company to set up the new service.

(Source: BBC)