Yang, from Xi’an in Shaanxi Province, was visiting the scenic coastline in Shizuoka Prefecture with his wife on Sept. 16 when he heard a splash and saw a woman floating in the water.

Despite bystanders urging him not to descend because it was dangerous, he began climbing down the nearly vertical cliff, according to the South China Morning Post.

He later said the descent was extremely difficult.

A site manager threw a lifebuoy, but strong winds blew it away. Onlookers then tossed a large plastic bag filled with empty water bottles to serve as a makeshift float, Beijing News reported.

The woman was about 30–40 meters from shore and had turned face down.

Reaching her, Yang flipped her over and rested her head and shoulders on the improvised buoy. He then swam on his back, towing her toward the rocks.

Two rescue divers soon arrived, took the woman aboard a boat, and returned to assist Yang.

Yang’s actions were widely praised on social media.

“You are so brave. Thank you, hero!” a netizen wrote.

Another added: “This positive action needs to be shared so more people know about it.”

Japan welcomed 3.4 million foreign visitors last month, up 16.9% year-on-year, driven by additional flights from across Asia.

China led with 1 million visitors, up 36.5%, followed by South Korea with 660,900, up 8%, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.