Japanese town blocks Mt. Fuji view with screen to deter misbehaving tourists

A town at the foot of Mount Fuji is setting up a giant screen to block the view of the iconic Japanese landmark at a popular photo spot near a convenience store. The measure is being taken to address the problems caused by some of the tourists who flock to the area.

Mount Fuji can be seen just above the store in the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Some people cross the busy road in front of the store and enter private property without permission to take photos of the mountain.

A nearby dental clinic says there have been problems with smoking and litter.

It adds that patients are sometimes unable to park their cars because of the growing number of taxis and tour buses. It says local residents asked the town to take action.

On Tuesday, workers started putting up the screen, which is 20 meters long and 2.5 meters high, as well as fences to prevent people from crossing the road.

Town officials say the fences will be completed soon, while the screen is expected to be ready around mid-May.

A man from Australia said he understands that the town's residents are concerned about safety, but he thinks the tourists will keep coming.

A local man says he tries to avoid using the road because there are so many tourists. He says he thinks that the screen will not really solve the issue.

The officials say it was a tough decision to make, but they hope the screen will reduce overcrowding at the site.