Mountains out of molehills - Blowfish - Brief Article

Japan, Inc., Sept, 2002

Get out your ropes and ice hammers: The climbing season officially began from June 1 at Mt. Benten in Tokushima Prefecture. Benten-zan is the nation's lowest mound to claim the status of mountain, rising a somewhat less than majestic 6.1m above sea level. Benten's claim to this lofty title, however, is disputed by the central government and residents of Osaka, who claim their own, er, bump, Tempo-zan, is even lower, reaching just 4.5m above sea level.

Yet another faction is claiming that a mountain in Sendai called Hinatayama, also 6.1m above sea level, really deserves the title of the nation's lowest. A geologic survey in 1991 determined that Hinatayama is indeed 3cm lower than Benten. The latter's supporters insist Benten deserves the title king of the hill, as both Tempo-zan and Hinatayama are man-made.