The number of people who required assistance on Japanese mountains hit a record high of 3,568 in 2023, police data showed Thursday, breaking the previous record set a year earlier as climbers returned to Mt. Fuji and other popular peaks after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The total was up 62 from the previous year, rising to the highest figure since comparable data became available in 1961. Of them, 335 died or remain missing and 1,400 were injured, according to the National Police Agency data. “We urge people to make sure they are well-equipped with items, such as hiking boots and mobi…