A second Australian has tragically died in Japan while skiing in the popular Niseko region of Hokkaido, which has been hit by unprecedented and deadly snowfall. The incident occurred as reports of avalanches and extreme weather conditions continue to plague the country's northern areas.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Local media reports indicate the man, aged in his 20s, was skiing off-piste in backcountry terrain near the Niseko area within Hokkaido's Moiwa region. He became separated from a group of seven fellow skiers during the excursion. He was later found unconscious, with initial reports strongly suggesting he had been buried in an avalanche.
Members of his skiing party immediately performed CPR, and emergency services were promptly called to the scene. The man was transported to a nearby hospital but, despite these efforts, he died a short time later.
Consular Assistance and Privacy
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the man's family. A DFAT spokesperson expressed profound condolences, stating, "The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Japan. We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time."
The spokesperson added, "Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment." It is understood the man had travelled to Japan for a holiday and was reportedly about to begin work at a local hotel in the renowned Niseko ski resort area.
A Week of Australian Tragedy in Japan
This marks the second death of an Australian in Japan within a single week. On Friday, 22-year-old Sunshine Coast woman Brooke Day was killed in a separate skiing accident at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Nagano Prefecture, west of Tokyo. Her backpack became lodged in a ski lift, leading to the fatal incident.
Friends, teammates, and the broader community have been paying tribute to Brooke Day, highlighting the sudden and tragic nature of these events in what should be a joyous winter holiday season.
Unprecedented Snowfall and National Crisis
Japan has been experiencing record-breaking snowfall over the past two weeks, with meteorological authorities reporting conditions far beyond seasonal averages. This extreme weather has resulted in at least 30 fatalities across the nation, creating a significant crisis for local authorities and residents.
Regional Impact and Fatalities
According to Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the central prefecture of Niigata has been hardest hit, reporting 12 deaths. Other northern prefectures have also suffered significantly:
- Six deaths in Akita prefecture
- Four deaths in Aomori prefecture
- Three deaths in Hokkaido (where the Australian skier died)
- Two deaths in Yamagata prefecture
- One death in Iwate prefecture
Additionally, one person died in Nagano prefecture in central Japan and another in Shimane prefecture in the southwest. Many victims were engaged in clearing snow from streets and homes when the accidents occurred.
Government Response and Military Assistance
The situation has become so severe that the northern prefecture of Aomori has formally requested assistance from Japan's Self-Defence Forces. The military is being deployed to remove dangerous accumulations of snow from the roofs of homes, particularly those belonging to elderly residents who are most vulnerable.
Aomori Governor Soichiro Miyashita emphasised the urgency, stating, "The risk of life-threatening incidents, such as fatal accidents caused by falling snow from rooftops or collapsed buildings, is imminent." In some areas of Aomori, snow has piled to astonishing heights of up to 4.5 metres.
Meteorological Conditions and Forecast
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has confirmed that the deaths occurred between January 20 and February 3, caused by strong cold air masses along the Sea of Japan coast. In numerous regions, snowfall has already surpassed double the average annual amount, severely disrupting daily life and mobility for residents.
Local officials have reported being overwhelmed, noting "The amount of snow is so heavy that it has overwhelmed the local staff who are working to remove the snow from the roads and rooftops."
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a special cabinet meeting on Tuesday, directing ministers to take all necessary measures to prevent further loss of life. The Japanese government has since approved the deployment of Self-Defence Forces to assist with snow removal and provide essential relief to affected communities.
Meteorological authorities anticipate a slight rise in temperatures beginning Wednesday, but warn that snow is expected to return to the Sea of Japan coast starting Sunday, potentially exacerbating the already critical situation.
