Japan arrested four suspects, including a Chinese hotel proprietor, late last month for allegedly trespassing on a neighbour’s property in Yamanashi Prefecture four years ago to cut down 23 trees that obstructed the view of Mount Fuji.
The hotel owner, who initially fled to Hong Kong, was detained last Saturday and is now facing charges of criminal property damage.
According to Dimsum daily online, the 52-year-old Chinese hotel owner, identified as Guo Yachuan, had allegedly ordered three others to unlawfully fell the neighbour’s trees.
In 2021, Guo Yachuan purchased land by Lake Kawaguchi and established the “Kumonoue Fuji Hotel,” which offers views of Mount Fuji and the scenic beauty of Lake Kawaguchi.
The hotel’s view of Mount Fuji was reportedly obstructed by a row of tall trees located in the grounds of a nursing facility in front of the hotel, which were planted to ensure residents’ privacy.
The hotel owner allegedly hired three people to cut down these trees illegally over a two-year period. They reportedly even resorted to drilling into the trunks and injecting herbicides to wither them.
Chinese hotelier accused of ordering trees cut to improve Mo