1. Overview
Ken Noguchi is a prominent Japanese mountaineer and environmental activist, widely recognized for his ascent of the Seven Summits at a record-breaking young age. Beyond his climbing achievements, Noguchi has dedicated substantial efforts to global environmental conservation, particularly through large-scale mountain cleanup projects on peaks like Mount Everest and Mount Fuji. He has also initiated numerous social contribution activities, including disaster relief, humanitarian aid, and the collection of war dead remains.
However, Noguchi's career has been marked by both accolades and significant controversies. His self-description as an "alpinist" has drawn criticism from within the mountaineering community, and his personal conduct, including an underage marriage and allegations of fabricating parts of his entrance essay, has been scrutinized. His views on environmental issues, often critical of other activists, and his relationships with various political and industrial entities, including the nuclear power and multi-level marketing sectors, have also sparked public debate. This article aims to provide a comprehensive account of his achievements and the various discussions surrounding his public persona and actions, with an emphasis on their social impact.
2. Biography
Ken Noguchi's early life was shaped by his father's diplomatic career and his mixed heritage, leading to diverse international experiences and formative challenges. These experiences, coupled with an encounter with a renowned Japanese adventurer's writings, sparked his passion for mountaineering.
2.1. Early Life and Education
Ken Noguchi was born on August 21, 1973, in Boston, Massachusetts. His father, Masaaki Noguchi, was a Japanese diplomat, and his mother, Mona Noguchi (née Tadros), was of mixed heritage, being half Greek and half Egyptian, with French and Lebanese ancestry. This diverse background meant Noguchi also held French and Lebanese heritage. Due to his father's diplomatic postings, he spent his early childhood in places like New York City and Saudi Arabia. He first arrived in Japan at the age of four and did not speak Japanese at the time.
His parents divorced when he was in the sixth grade. Noguchi transferred from Cairo Japanese School to Rikkyo School in England, an independent boarding school. During his youth, Noguchi described himself as a "delinquent" and an "underachiever." He engaged in various problematic behaviors, such as shooting cats and pigeons with an air gun, puncturing car tires, and stealing Mercedes-Benz emblems. While attending high school, he was suspended for a month for assaulting a senior student. This suspension period proved pivotal in his life.
During his one-month suspension, Noguchi embarked on a solo trip, during which he read "Betting My Youth on the Mountains" by the renowned Japanese adventurer Naomi Uemura. Deeply inspired by Uemura's approach to life, Noguchi discovered mountaineering. Lacking mountaineering companions, he began to see climbing as a means of self-validation and self-expression. He seriously considered joining the Japan Self-Defense Forces after graduation and was also interested in becoming a photographer. However, he eventually decided to pursue his goal of climbing the Seven Summits and gained admission to Asia University through a special admission program for individuals with unique talents. He graduated from Asia University in 2000, having spent eight years there focusing on his mountaineering pursuits, and later studied environmental education at Aomori University.
2.2. Introduction to Mountaineering
Noguchi's journey into mountaineering began in August 1989, at the age of 15, when he ascended his first mountain, Mont Blanc. This initial experience was a direct result of his encounter with Naomi Uemura's book, which ignited his passion for the sport during a period of personal reflection after his school suspension. He was drawn to the mountains not solely as a sportsman but as a means to affirm his existence, given his lack of climbing peers. He developed a strong admiration for Uemura, admiring not just his climbing prowess but his steady, persistent approach to challenges.
3. Mountaineering Achievements
Ken Noguchi has achieved significant milestones in mountaineering, notably becoming the youngest person at the time to complete the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each continent.
3.1. Seven Summits Ascent
Noguchi embarked on his quest to conquer the Seven Summits in 1989. His first successful ascent was Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in December 1989, at the age of 16. He followed the Bass list for his Seven Summits challenge, which includes Mount Kosciuszko rather than Carstensz Pyramid.
He systematically climbed the peaks, achieving several "youngest person" records along the way:
- In December 1994, after scaling Vinson Massif, he became the youngest person to have climbed the highest mountains on five continents at age 21.
- In January 1996, with his ascent of Mount Elbrus, he claimed the title for the youngest person to complete six continents at age 22.
The culmination of his quest came on May 13, 1999, when he successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest on his third attempt. This final ascent completed his Seven Summits journey in 9 years and 163 days. At 25 years and 265 days old, he became the youngest person at that time to complete all Seven Summits. This record was later surpassed by Naoki Ishikawa in 2001 at age 23, and then by American Jordan Romero in 2011 at age 15. In recognition of his achievement, Noguchi was awarded the Tokyo Citizens' Honorary Award for Culture in 1999. He documented his journey in his book, `落ちこぼれてエベレストOchikoborete Everest (Everest after Dropping Out)Japanese`.
Seven Summits timeline | ||
---|---|---|
Mountain | Date | Age |
Mont Blanc | August, 1990 | 16 |
Kilimanjaro | December, 1990 | 17 |
Kosciuszko | September, 1992 | 19 |
Aconcagua | December, 1992 | 19 |
McKinley | June, 1993 | 19 |
Vinson Massif | December, 1994 | 21 |
Elbrus | January, 1996 | 22 |
Everest | May 13, 1999 | 25 |
3.2. Other Notable Ascents
Beyond the Seven Summits, Noguchi has undertaken other significant expeditions. In September 1996, he successfully ascended Cho Oyu, standing at 27 K ft (8.20 K m). In May 2007, at age 33, he returned to Mount Everest, this time ascending from the Tibet side as part of a cleanup expedition. This made him the eighth Japanese person to successfully summit Everest from both the Nepal and Tibet sides.
4. Environmental and Social Activities
Ken Noguchi has extensively engaged in environmental conservation and various social contribution initiatives through his non-profit organization, PEAK+AID. His work spans mountain cleanup projects, disaster relief, humanitarian aid, and efforts to collect the remains of war dead.
4.1. Mountain Cleanup Projects
Noguchi's commitment to environmentalism began during his 1999 Everest climb, where he was shocked by the amount of waste left on the mountain. He observed that media depictions often showed a pristine Everest, but the reality was widespread litter. Following his summit, he organized teams to remove garbage from Everest. His team successfully removed approximately 8 tons of garbage, including over 400 discarded oxygen containers, in their initial efforts. He returned to Everest for further cleanup expeditions in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, and 2011. In 2001 alone, it was reported that 1.6 t of litter, including 84 empty oxygen containers, was removed.
Inspired by these experiences, Noguchi extended his cleanup efforts to Japan, particularly to Mount Fuji, a major tourist attraction often marred by trash and sewage. He has consistently referred to the state of Mount Fuji as a "disgrace" to a national symbol and has given televised interviews to highlight the problem and promote better environmental practices. He believes that governments should integrate environmental education into standard curricula to foster greater environmental consciousness. His ongoing efforts have continued to remove litter and sewage from Mount Fuji.
In 2005, Noguchi initiated a cleanup project on Manaslu, a mountain with a significant history of Japanese ascents. This project attracted attention from then-Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, who expressed gratitude for Noguchi's work on Mount Fuji and his hope for a more environmentally aware future. Cleanup operations on Manaslu continued in 2006, 2007, and 2019.
Noguchi also conducts cleanup activities in various other locations across Japan. He discussed his ongoing environmental work in his second book, `100万回のコンチクショーHyakumankai no Konchikusho (A Million Curses)Japanese`, published in 2002.
4.2. Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Aid
Noguchi has been actively involved in humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts, primarily through his NPO, PEAK+AID (formerly Seven Summits Sustainable Society Organization, established in 2002).
In 2000, he established the "Sherpa Fund" to support the education of children of Sherpa guides who had died in mountaineering accidents. In 2006, he founded the "Manaslu Fund" to support education in Sama Village at the foot of Manaslu, where he helped construct a school that officially opened in 2010. PEAK+AID also focuses on forestation projects, aiming to plant 30,000 trees (pine, fir, larch) in the Himalayas by 2020. In 2018, he initiated the "Send Randoseru to Himalayas" project, collecting and delivering Japanese elementary school backpacks (randoseru) and stationery to schools in villages like Sama, Khumjung, Thame, Lukla, and Pokhara. This project continued into 2019, with donations organized through Soja City. In 2020, Noguchi launched a crowdfunding campaign to reconstruct Mahendra Janasahayog Primary School in Pokhara, Nepal, with restoration work continuing into 2021.
During his stay in Nepal in April 2015, Noguchi was caught in the 2015 Nepal earthquake. He promptly launched the "Himalayan Earthquake Relief Fund" to support recovery efforts. Following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes in Japan, Noguchi organized a "tent village" in Mashiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, for displaced residents, using funds sent by Sherpa friends who wished to "repay their gratitude" to Japan. In April 2017, PEAK+AID and Soja City signed an agreement to proactively provide disaster support, including the establishment of tent villages in affected areas.
4.3. War Dead Remains Collection
Noguchi has also participated in projects to collect the remains of Japanese war dead. In 2008, he joined the NPO "Ku-entai" and began activities to investigate and collect the remains of former Japanese soldiers, particularly in the Philippines. However, a critical article in 2010 alleged that the remains collected by Ku-entai included those of Filipinos, leading to a conflict between Noguchi and the NPO's director. On May 18, 2010, Noguchi announced his departure from Ku-entai via his official blog. Since then, he has continued his war dead remains collection activities in Okinawa through his own NPO, PEAK+AID. He stated that these activities fostered a sense of "pride as a Japanese" within him.
4.4. Other Social Initiatives
Noguchi holds several visiting professorships, including at Asia University, SBC Tokyo Medical University, and as a part-time lecturer at Tokushima University's Department of Orthopedic Surgery. He also serves as an environmental advisor for Tokyo Verdy 1969 football club, participating in post-match cleanup efforts with fans.
He has been appointed as an environmental ambassador for Chiba Prefecture (2008), an environmental and tourism ambassador for Soja City, Okayama Prefecture (2014), a Land Rover ambassador (2014), and a Mitsubishi Motors ambassador (2017). In 2009, he established the "Ken Noguchi Environmental School" in Soja City, Okayama Prefecture. In July 2018, he was appointed as the "Jomon Furusato Ambassador" for Chino, Nagano Prefecture, to promote the Jomon culture.
He is also a supporter of the Ministry of the Environment's "Eco-Child Survey" and a founding member of the Japan Energy Council.
5. Views and Controversies
Ken Noguchi's public profile has been shaped not only by his achievements but also by his outspoken views and various controversies, including debates on mountaineering ethics, personal conduct, environmental policy, and political affiliations.
5.1. Mountaineering Philosophy and "Alpinist" Debate
Noguchi views mountaineering less as an innate calling and more as a means of self-expression, a way to prove his existence given his isolated start in the sport. He is drawn to the enduring, steady challenges, rather than immediate fame, admiring Naomi Uemura's similar philosophy.
He has adopted the title "alpinist" for himself, a term he began using after it was suggested during a commercial shoot as an alternative to "mountaineer," a word he felt had negative connotations. However, this self-appellation has drawn sharp criticism from within the mountaineering community. Fumio Hattori, an editor at the mountaineering magazine "Gakujin" and a climber himself, has publicly stated that Noguchi is a "3.5-rate mountaineer" and that calling him an "alpinist" is an "insult to those who truly aim to be alpinists." Hattori argues that alpinism implies difficult climbs in alpine style (lightweight, self-sufficient), whereas Noguchi's expeditions, often involving large teams, fixed ropes, and common routes, are contrary to alpine style.
Noguchi has addressed criticism that his extensive media appearances and diverse activities, including cleanup projects, are "self-promotion," stating that "no matter how good the deed, it cannot continue on goodwill alone," necessitating "management as a profession." He has also publicly criticized others' mountaineering decisions. For instance, after Japanese celebrity Ayako Imoto used a helicopter for descent after climbing Matterhorn in 2012, Noguchi expressed dismay on Twitter, stating that "climbing involves descending by one's own power" and that he would have abandoned the ascent if such assistance were required. While acknowledging her physical and mental strength, he questioned the ultimate meaning of a climb if one's death on the mountain led to regret over taking on the job.
5.2. Personal Conduct and Ethical Controversies
Noguchi has been open about certain controversial aspects of his personal life and past conduct. In his book, `落ちこぼれてエベレストOchikoborete Everest (Everest after Dropping Out)Japanese`, he disclosed that he married a Nepalese Sherpa girl, who he estimated to be 15 years old (her exact age was unknown due to lack of official records) in 1995. This was an underage marriage, and he admitted there was no legal marriage due to her age and lack of documentation. Communication relied on an interpreter, and they met infrequently, only when Noguchi visited Nepal. The relationship dissolved after two years, with Noguchi stating the reason was that the girl "became more gaudy" after moving to the city of Kathmandu.
He also confessed in his book, `確かに生きる~10代へのメッセージ~Tashika ni Ikiru (To Live Surely)Japanese`, to fabricating a portion of his entrance essay for Asia University. He wrote that his parents' home in Sana'a, Yemen, was bombed by terrorists and that he was present during the attack, even though he was not there at the time.
Noguchi also held a dialogue with Hiroshi Totsuka, the controversial head of the Totsuka Yacht School, for the magazine "Seiron" in 2008. Noguchi initiated the meeting, expressing empathy for Totsuka's book "The Power of Instinct." Noguchi has affirmed Totsuka's educational approach, arguing that many children deemed uncontrollable by parents benefited from the school, and that the "yutori education" (relaxed education) system has had negative consequences, citing experiences where he had to shout at students during lectures due to a lack of tension between teachers and students.
5.3. Views on Environmental Issues
Noguchi's views on environmental issues are complex and, at times, contradictory. He acknowledges that since beginning his cleanup activities on Everest, he has become acutely aware of the difficulties of environmental problems. He has stated that addressing energy issues, such as reducing reliance on nuclear and thermal power, must move beyond idealism and be approached with a realistic perspective.
He has publicly criticized the actions of other environmental figures. When the British band Coldplay announced a hiatus from world tours due to the carbon emissions from air travel, Noguchi tweeted that it was "mere performance" and that environmental and energy issues require "reality" to be meaningful. He also sarcastically criticized environmental activist Greta Thunberg for traveling by train, tweeting, "Apparently, she is getting on the train. A person who says no to air flight should say no to cars. I thought there was no means of transportation other than a cab, if not a yacht." This tweet drew significant backlash, with many replies criticizing his "childish" attitude and questioning why he was attacking Thunberg.
5.4. Relationship with Politics and Industries
Ken Noguchi has maintained connections with political figures and various industries, which have at times led to public discussion.
In 2004, he was approached by the Liberal Democratic Party to run for the House of Councillors proportional representation block and showed interest. However, he ultimately decided not to run due to opposition from his associates, his ongoing efforts to establish an independent base for his activities after leaving his agency, and his involvement in the launch of the "Tokyo Ranger System," which he had directly petitioned then-Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara to establish. He also stated in 2008 that he would not run in the 2009 general election.
Noguchi has frequently engaged in election support activities, maintaining that his stance is to support "individual politicians (colleagues with whom he has worked)" rather than specific political parties. He supported former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto's former secretaries and aides in their elections, who had shown understanding for his environmental work. In the 2005 general election and the 2016 Tokyo gubernatorial election, he campaigned and gave speeches in support of Yuriko Koike. In 2012, he tweeted that the policies of the Happy Science Party were "always clear" and that he found "many parts to sympathize with," despite their limited media exposure.
Noguchi is one of the founding members of the Japan Energy Council, an organization that promotes nuclear power. He has appeared in promotional DVDs for NUMO (Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan), which cover learning about nuclear power and the disposal of radioactive waste. He has also appeared in public relations programs for Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and has received sponsorship from them for his Everest and Mount Fuji cleanup expeditions.
His environmental activities have also received sponsorship from Cosmo Oil, an oil industry company. He has jointly participated in the "Cosmo Earth Conscious Act," an environmental protection initiative launched by Tokyo FM in 2001.
Noguchi has also been associated with multi-level marketing (MLM) companies. Amway Japan has sponsored his Everest and Mount Fuji cleanup expeditions. He has participated as a guest in Amway cleanup activities, primarily focusing on coastal areas, and has delivered keynote speeches at Amway symposiums.
6. Personal Life
Ken Noguchi's personal life includes his marital history and children, as well as his notable family background shaped by his father's diplomatic career and his mother's diverse heritage.
6.1. Family and Relationships
In 1995, Noguchi entered into a relationship with a Nepalese Sherpa girl whom he estimated to be 15 years old. Although he referred to it as a "marriage" in his writings, it was not legally recognized due to her age and lack of official documentation. Their communication required an interpreter, and they met only infrequently when Noguchi visited Nepal. The relationship ended in divorce two years later, which Noguchi attributed to the girl's change in demeanor after moving to Kathmandu.
He later married a Japanese woman in July 2003. Their first child, a daughter named Eko Noguchi, was born on February 21, 2004. As of 2019, Noguchi stated that he had been living separately from his wife for 15 out of their 16 years of marriage, with their daughter having grown up at his wife's home. Eko Noguchi studied abroad in New Zealand starting in 2020 and has served as a "Mystery Hunter" for the Japanese television program "Hitachi Fushigi Hakken!" (World Heritage Discovery!) since 2020. She completed her studies abroad and is currently enrolled at Keio University as of April 2023. Noguchi also has an elder brother from his parents' first marriage.
6.2. Diplomatic and Ancestral Background
Noguchi's parents, Masaaki Noguchi and Mona Tadros, divorced when Ken was in elementary school, during his father's second posting in Egypt. Both parents subsequently remarried.
His father, Masaaki Noguchi, was a former diplomat from Aizuwakamatsu. He served as a minister in Egypt and Italy, an ambassador to Yemen and Tunisia, and a consul-general in Sydney. Masaaki Noguchi was involved in Official Development Assistance (ODA) and instilled in Ken the philosophy of looking beyond the superficial "A-side" of things to the "B-side" that requires effort to see. Ken Noguchi has stated that the Sherpa Fund was a result of him seeing "the B-side of the Himalayas."
His biological mother, Mona Noguchi (née Tadros), was born in Heliopolis. She was of Egyptian and Lebanese descent, with her father being a Coptic Christian Egyptian (a minority in Egypt) and her mother being a Greek from Turkey with French heritage. This makes Mona Noguchi a quarter of four different nationalities. After divorcing Ken's father, she also divorced her second husband and faced financial hardship, with Ken Noguchi mentioning he sent money to support his half-siblings through university. She later moved to Canada. In 2007, she visited Japan as part of a feature on the TV program "Great Mother Story."
Ken's maternal grandmother, Kiki, was a Greek from Turkey who immigrated to Egypt as a child to escape the persecution of Greeks in Turkey. She married Magdy Tadros, a Coptic Catholic Egyptian. After the Nasser Revolution, most of the Tadros family's assets were confiscated, leading to hardship. In the early 1970s, she moved to Montreal, Canada, with her family. In the 1980s, she served as a governess for the Saudi royal family in Saudi Arabia.
Noguchi's stepmother is also a notable figure in his life. After Noguchi failed to summit Everest twice, she sent him a letter to base camp before his third attempt, stating, "It's no good if you can't climb forever. If you keep trying indefinitely, you'll just be Everest's stalker. Go and settle it."
7. Works
Ken Noguchi has authored numerous books and photographic collections, and has made extensive appearances across various media platforms.
7.1. Publications
- `落ちこぼれてエベレスト 7大陸最高峰世界最年少登頂Ochikoborete Everest: 7 Tairiku Saikōhō Sekai Sainenshō Tojō (Everest after Dropping Out: Youngest Person in the World to Summit the Seven Summits)Japanese` (1999, Shueisha International)
- `大冒険術 ぼくらはなぜ世界に挑むのかDaibōkenjutsu: Bokura wa Naze Sekai ni Idomu no ka (The Art of Great Adventure: Why We Challenge the World)Japanese` (co-authored with Kojiro Shiraishi) (2000, Bungeishunju)
- `100万回のコンチクショーHyakumankai no Konchikusho (A Million Curses)Japanese` (2002, Shueisha)
- `あきらめないこと、それが冒険だ エベレストに登るのも冒険、ゴミ拾いも冒険!Akiramenai Koto, Sore ga Bōken da: Everest ni Noboru no mo Bōken, Gomi Hiroi no mo Bōken! (Not Giving Up, That is Adventure: Climbing Everest is Adventure, Picking Up Trash is Also Adventure!)Japanese` (2006, Gakken Plus)
- `中学生のためのショート・ストーリーズ 2 パックンマックンが選ぶ旅と冒険の話集Chūgakusei no Tame no Short Stories 2 Pack'n Mack'n ga Erabu Tabi to Bōken no Hanashishū (Short Stories for Junior High School Students 2: A Collection of Travel and Adventure Stories Selected by Pack'n Mack'n)Japanese` (co-authored) (2007, Gakken Plus)
- `確かに生きる~10代へのメッセージ~Tashika ni Ikiru: 10-dai e no Message (To Live Surely: A Message to Teenagers)Japanese` (2007, Kuritasha)
- Re-titled and re-published as `確かに生きる 落ちこぼれたら這い上がればいいTashika ni Ikiru: Ochikoboretara Haiagareba Ii (To Live Surely: If You Fall Behind, Just Climb Back Up)Japanese` (2009, Shueisha Bunko)
- `100 Remains 登山家、野口健が山で集めたゴミ。美術家、田中朝子が集めた野口健の言葉。100 Remains: Tozan-ka, Noguchi Ken ga Yama de Atsumeta Gomi. Bijutsuka, Tanaka Asako ga Atsumeta Noguchi Ken no Kotoba. (100 Remains: Garbage Collected by Mountaineer Ken Noguchi on Mountains. Ken Noguchi's Words Collected by Artist Asako Tanaka.)Japanese` (co-authored with Asako Tanaka) (2007, Goma Shobō)
- `富士山を汚すのは誰か 清掃登山と環境問題Fujisan wo Yogosu no wa Dare ka: Seisō Tozan to Kankyō Mondai (Who Pollutes Mount Fuji: Cleanup Climbing and Environmental Issues)Japanese` (2008, Kadokawa Shoten)
- `自然と国家と人間とShizen to Kokka to Ningen to (Nature, Nation, and Humanity)Japanese` (2009, Nikkei Publishing Inc.)
- `こだわり人物伝 8・9月 知楽遊学シリーズ/水曜日 NHKテレビテキストKodawari Jinbutsuden 8/9 Gatsu Chiraku Yūgaku Series/Suiyōbi NHK Terebi Tekisuto (Profiles of Passionate People August/September: Chi-Raku-Yūgaku Series/Wednesday NHK TV Text)Japanese` (2010, NHK Publishing)
- `それでも僕は「現場」に行くSore demo Boku wa "Genba" ni Iku (Still, I Go to the "Field")Japanese` (2011, PHP Institute)
- `世界遺産にされて富士山は泣いているSekai Isan ni Sare te Fujisan wa Naite Iru (Mount Fuji Cries After Becoming a World Heritage Site)Japanese` (2014, PHP Institute)
- `震災が起きた後で死なないために 「避難所にテント村」という選択肢Shinsai ga Okita Ato de Shinanai Tame ni: "Hinanjō ni Tent Mura" to Iu Sentakushi (To Not Die After an Earthquake: The Option of "Tent Villages in Evacuation Centers")Japanese` (2017, PHP Institute PHP Shinsho)
- `登り続ける、ということ。 山を登る 学校を建てる 災害とたたかうNobori Tsuzukeru, to Iu Koto: Yama wo Noboru Gakkō wo Tateru Saigai to Tatakau (Continuing to Climb: Climbing Mountains, Building Schools, Battling Disasters)Japanese` (2021, Gakken Plus)
- `父子で考えた「自分の道」の見つけ方 「正解」を選ぶのではなく、選んだ道を「正解」にすればいい!Oyako de Kangaeta "Jibun no Michi" no Mitsukekata: "Seikai" wo Erabu no de wa Naku, Eranda Michi wo "Seikai" ni Sureba Ii! (Finding "Your Own Path" as Father and Son: Don't Choose the "Right Answer," Make the Chosen Path the "Right Answer"!)Japanese` (2022, Seibundo Shinkosha)
He has also published photo collections:
- `写真集 野口健が見た世界 INTO the WORLDShashinshū Noguchi Ken ga Mita Sekai INTO the WORLD (Photo Collection: The World Seen by Ken Noguchi INTO the WORLD)Japanese` (2013, Shueisha International)
- `ヒマラヤに捧ぐHimalaya ni Sasagu (Dedicated to the Himalayas)Japanese` (2016, Shueisha International)
Related books include:
- `野口健 最高峰でつかんだ未来Noguchi Ken: Saikōhō de Tsukanda Mirai (Ken Noguchi: The Future Grasped at the Summit)Japanese` by Masaru Ayano (2000, Obunsha)
- `僕の名前は。 アルピニスト野口健の青春Boku no Namae wa: Alpinist Noguchi Ken no Seishun (My Name Is: The Youth of Alpinist Ken Noguchi)Japanese` by Haruo Isshi (2001, Kodansha)
- `野口健が聞いた英霊の声なき声 戦没者遺骨収集のいまNoguchi Ken ga Kiita Eirei no Koenaki Koe: Senbotsusha Ikotsu Shūshū no Ima (Ken Noguchi Heard the Voiceless Voices of the War Dead: The Present State of War Dead Remains Collection)Japanese` by Yoshihiro Kita (2009, Sankei Shimbun Publishing/Japan Industrial Newspaper Company)
- `さよなら、野口健Sayonara, Noguchi Ken (Goodbye, Ken Noguchi)Japanese` by Motoki Kobayashi (2022, Shueisha International/Shueisha)
7.2. Media Appearances
Noguchi has been a frequent presence in Japanese media, appearing in various genres.
His mountain documentary appearances include:
- "Challenging the Seven Summits" (MBS/TBS network, July 19, 1997)
- "Super Extreme Footage Special: Phantom Chomolungma" (MBS, April 29, 1999)
- "Jōnetsu Tairiku (Passion Continent): To the Peaks of Seven Continents ~ Ken Noguchi" (MBS/TBS network, June 13, 1999)
- "Profiles of Passionate People: Naomi Uemura" (NHK Educational TV, from August 4, 2010)
- "To the Earth's Summit! Super Epic Everest Solo Challenge! The Passionate Battle of Shinya Kuriki, 28" (TV Tokyo, October 24, 2010) - as commentator
His news program appearances include:
- "MBS Now" (MBS) - including segments such as "20-year-old Antarctic" (Jan 5-6, 1995), "Faraway Everest" (Apr 27-28, 1995), "Bonds of Elbrus" (Oct 21, 1995), "Death of Friend Natie" (Dec 14-15, 1995), "Bonds of Elbrus 2" (Feb 10, 1996), "Soul of Friend Natie" (May 3-4, 1996), "Cho Oyu" (Nov 30, 1996), "The Polluted Highest Peak ~ The Unknown Reality of Chomolungma" (Oct 10, 1996), "Ken Noguchi Conquers World's Seven Summits! Joyful On-site Report" (May 17, 1999), and "Ken Noguchi's New Challenge ~ Chomolungma Cleanup Climbing" (June 7, 2000).
- "Chikushi Tetsuya News23: Half a Year Since the Himalayan Avalanche, Recovering Mementos" (TBS network/MBS production, May 10, 1996)
- "Space J: Death of Friend Natie" (TBS network/MBS production, May 22, 1996)
- "VOICE" (MBS) - including "Ken Noguchi Heads for His Last Chomolungma Cleanup Climb" (Apr 10, 2003), "Ken Noguchi, Desperate Cleanup Climb ~ Chomolungma" (July 1, 2003), and "Ken Noguchi, Last Chomolungma" (June 29, 2007).
He has appeared in various variety and other programs:
- "Nikkei Special: Cambria Palace: Listen to the 'Screams' of the Earth!" (TV Tokyo, July 7, 2008)
- "Sekai no Hate Made Itte Q!" (Nippon TV) - as semi-regular
- "Pokapoka" (Fuji TV, February 13, 2023) - appeared with his daughter Eko Noguchi.
- "Okabero" (Kansai TV, January 18, 2025; Fuji TV, January 19, 2025) - scheduled to appear with his daughter Eko Noguchi.
7.3. Commercials and DVDs
Noguchi has also participated in television commercials and released DVD titles.
- Commercials:**
- Nestlé Japan's Nescafé "Gold Blend" (2000)
- DVDs:**
- `野口健 ECO×TOUR 西表島の旅Noguchi Ken ECO×TOUR Iriomote-jima no Tabi (Ken Noguchi ECO×TOUR: Journey to Iriomote Island)Japanese` (2005, Sony Music MHBW32)
- `野口健 ECO×TOUR 屋久島の旅Noguchi Ken ECO×TOUR Yakushima no Tabi (Ken Noguchi ECO×TOUR: Journey to Yakushima Island)Japanese` (2005, Sony Music MHBW33)
- `野口健 ECO×TOUR 小笠原諸島の旅Noguchi Ken ECO×TOUR Ogasawara Shotō no Tabi (Ken Noguchi ECO×TOUR: Journey to the Ogasawara Islands)Japanese` (2005, Sony Music MHBW34)
- `野口健 ECO×TOUR 礼文島・利尻島の旅Noguchi Ken ECO×TOUR Rebun-tō Rishiri-tō no Tabi (Ken Noguchi ECO×TOUR: Journey to Rebun Island and Rishiri Island)Japanese` (2006, Sony Music MHBW61)
- `野口健 ECO×TOUR 対馬の旅Noguchi Ken ECO×TOUR Tsushima no Tabi (Ken Noguchi ECO×TOUR: Journey to Tsushima Island)Japanese` (2006, Sony Music MHBW62)
- `野口健 ECO×TOUR トカラ列島の旅Noguchi Ken ECO×TOUR Tokara Rettō no Tabi (Ken Noguchi ECO×TOUR: Journey to the Tokara Islands)Japanese` (2006, Sony Music MHBW63)
8. Awards and Honors
Ken Noguchi has received several notable awards and honors for his achievements in mountaineering and environmental activism:
- Tokyo Citizens' Honorary Award for Culture** (1999) - Awarded after he completed the Seven Summits.
- Ango Prize** (Second annual, hosted by Niigata City, November 2007)
- Naomi Uemura Adventure Award** (2008) - Recognized for his "cleanup climbing" on Mount Everest.
- Ando Tadao Culture Foundation Award** (First annual, July 2015) - Awarded by Tadao Ando, who has also contributed to Noguchi's Sherpa and Manaslu Funds and designed the Nepal Children's Hospital.