Body of Michigan hiker found on Japan's Mount Fuji

2:08 PM, Jun 8, 2012   |    comments
AP photo of Mount Fuji, Japan
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PORTAGE, Mich. (AP) -- The father of a Michigan man who disappeared while hiking on Japan's Mount Fuji says his son's body has been found.

Jerry Johnson told The Associated Press on Friday that a mountain guide hired by his family found 33-year-old Matthew Johnson's body on Thursday. Police confirmed his identity using dental records.

Johnson said he assumed his son had fallen. He said the body was discovered in an area that had been searched in February but it may have been covered with snow then.

He said he's "thankful to be working toward closure."

Matthew Johnson last was seen Jan. 13 on the mountain. The software engineer for Eaton Corp. was in Japan on business and was an avid outdoorsman. He lived in Portage, about 50 miles south of Grand Rapids.

AP