Chinese National Charged for Illegal Tree Cutting Near Mount Fuji Seeks Leniency and Japanese Citizenship
On April 14, 2024, in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, a hotel owned by a Chinese national requested a neighbor to cut down trees that obstructed the view from their guest rooms. After failed negotiations, 53-year-old owner Guo Yachuan illegally hired contractors to enter the neighbor's land and cut down the trees. He confessed to his actions during the first court hearing and expressed his desire to obtain Japanese citizenship.
Guo's wife testified that the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted their finances, leading her husband to feel responsible for their situation. The prosecution has requested a one-year prison sentence, highlighting Guo's attempts to evade legal repercussions by fleeing the country right after the incident. The victim expressed a desire for Guo to be punished, ending any potential neighborly relations.
