Rapid search in Hyogo mountains - police use tracking app
The Hyogo Prefectural Police have signed a cooperation agreement with Yamap, a company that develops a mobile app for mountain hiking, to improve incident prevention and speed up search and rescue operations on difficult routes.
As part of the agreements, rescuers received access to the service's specialized search system. It accumulates registration plans submitted by tourists, and also records the coordinates and lines of movement of travelers thanks to satellite communication, which works even in areas without mobile coverage.
Hyogo has become the 35th Japanese prefecture whose police have joined forces with the digital platform. According to police statistics, in 2025, there were 126 accidents in the region's mountains involving 146 people, seven of whom died. Only about 5% of those injured registered their route in advance, while none of those killed did so.
Source: 山岳救助を迅速化へ 兵庫県警が登山アプリ「ヤマップ」と協定締結 - ITmedia
Context
Hyogo Prefecture's peaks, including Mount Rokko, Mount Maya, and Mount Hatafuri, are located close to urban areas and are considered convenient for day hikes. However, their apparent accessibility often leads to hikers going there without proper equipment or experience, leading to falls on the slopes and disorientation.