Chinese tourist dies after skiing accident in Japan's Nagano Prefecture

A 32-year-old Chinese tourist tragically passed away after going missing while skiing at a resort in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The incident occurred on Dec. 22 at the Shiga Kogen Yakebitaiyama ski resort. The man was found unconscious and later pronounced dead early on Dec. 23.

According to Japanese media reports, the local police were alerted around 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 22 by the man's friends, who reported him missing after he failed to return from skiing. A search team dispatched by the ski resort located him at approximately 5:30 p.m. outside the designated ski trail. At the time, he was in cardiopulmonary arrest.

The man was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead at around 1:00 a.m. on Dec. 23. Medical staff confirmed that the cause of death was asphyxiation. Skiing enthusiasts have noted that recent "powder snow" conditions in the area could pose a risk of suffocation if snow enters the nose and mouth during a fall.

Reports indicate that the ski trail where the man was found had a maximum slope gradient of 39 degrees and was covered in unpacked snow, making it a challenging route designed for advanced skiers. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the accident, including whether the victim lost control and veered off the trail.

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