During the latter part of the occupation, because the Japanese had a strong interest in climbing Yu Shan, the Bunung of Tungpu were also hired as bearers for expeditions.
除此之外，日據末期，因日人對登玉山的興趣漸濃，東埔布農族因而受雇擔任登山挑伕這行業。現年六十三歲的王天定回想起第一次帶日本女學生上玉山的情況，時間約是民國卅一年七月，那時他才十五歲。