Just a heads up if you are heading to Japan....

Notifying police in Japan about your backcountry plans is super easy. It can be done online, in English, on your smartphone. The site is called Compass (https://www.mt-compass.com/).

I've written up an instructional blog post here: http://www.14degrees.org/online-notification-police-backcountry-plans-japan/

I've done Backcountry Plan submissions using Compass on the way to the trailhead in the car - pretty painless.

I resent how easy it is, because now I have no excuse not to do it....

The system is actively maintained and promoted by the Japan Mountain Guides Association (JMGA -http://www.jfmga.com/pdf/27jmga_info.pdf). They enter into official agreements with prefecture (similar to 'states' in Australia) administration to arrange access to the compass system by local search and rescue.

From the few emails I've exchanged with the Mt-Compass office, it seems they are very keen to see more inbound visitors use the system. That's a really positive thing!

They're also really responsive to feedback about the system - they want to make sure it is easy to use. Feedback form is here: https://www.mt-compass.com/contact.php