HAKKAIDO, Japan – A day out at a ski resort in Otaru ended in tragedy on Sunday, after a 5-year-old boy from Sapporo died when his arm became caught in an outdoor moving escalator. The belt-style lift is often called a “magic carpet” or snow escalator.

The boy, Hinata Goto, was a kindergartener from Higashi Ward in Sapporo. He was at Asari Ski Resort (also known as Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort) with his family. At about 10 a.m. on 28 December, he rode the moving walkway with his mother.

The system links the car park to the slopes and the centre house. It is meant to carry skiers uphill at a gentle pace, without steps.

Police and fire officials in Hokkaido said Hinata fell near the upper exit while trying to get off the roughly 30-metre walkway. His right arm was drawn into the turning section at the top, close to an area with a maintenance cover and brush parts. He became trapped, and rescue efforts took time. Reports say he was stuck for about 40 minutes.

Hinata’s mother pressed the emergency stop button. The automatic safety sensor, which should stop the belt when something is detected, did not activate. No staff member was positioned at the walkway at the time. Workers nearby responded quickly, but they could not free him straight away. Firefighters arrived and partially dismantled the equipment to reach the child, who had already lost consciousness.

He was taken to the hospital while unconscious and later died. Officials have not released the exact cause of death, though the long entrapment is thought to have played a part.

Statement from Asari Ski Resort in Hokkaido

Soon after the incident, Asari Ski Resort released a statement expressing grief and regret. “We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased customer and offer our heartfelt condolences,” the resort said. “We also offer our deepest apologies for the occurrence of such a serious accident at a facility operated by our company.”

Kensuke Tamagawa, general manager of the operating company Sasson, spoke to reporters on Monday and said the company would investigate fully. He also said morning inspections had shown the safety features working normally earlier that day. The moving walkway was shut down right away, while the rest of the ski resort stayed open.

The unit involved is a flat conveyor belt, about 60 centimetres wide. It has no handrails or steps, a common setup at ski resorts, so people can ride it in ski boots. Still, some regular visitors have said they have worried about safety for some time.

A 71-year-old man from Sapporo told reporters he had stumbled on the belt this season. He said there were areas where the slope changes and the belt “shakes”, which made it feel unstable. Another man in his 70s shared a similar view and said he had felt it was dangerous after nearly falling.

There have also been reports of earlier accidents. One case involved an older visitor who fractured a bone after falling about three years ago. Those incidents led to calls for staff to watch the walkway more closely. Another, busier moving walkway at the resort now has constant supervision. This one was checked only at intervals, with nearby workers also handling parking and snow clearing.

Unlike chairlifts and gondolas, which are regulated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, these moving walkways are not covered by the same national rules. That leaves safety measures mostly up to each operator.

Hokkaido Police Inquiry into Boy’s Death

Hokkaido police are investigating the case as possible professional negligence resulting in death. Officers are looking into why the auto-stop function did not work, why no staff member was stationed at the site, and whether maintenance and inspection records were handled properly. The resort has been cooperating and has provided access to the machinery and related logs.

The death happened during the busy winter holiday period, when many families visit Hokkaido’s ski areas. Asari Ski Resort sits in Otaru’s Asarigawa Onsen area, around an hour’s drive from central Sapporo. It is known for easy access, nearby hot springs, and beginner-friendly runs.

The accident has added pressure across Japan’s ski industry to review safety standards for equipment used in family areas. Several resorts have reportedly started urgent checks of similar moving walkways. People in the industry say major lifts often face strict inspections, but conveyor systems can fall into a grey area, even though they are now common.

An operator at another site pointed to the need for staff nearby, saying problems can be missed outdoors, especially when children are involved.

As the investigation continues, many in the local community have shared their shock. A 60-year-old worker in the area said the ski field hosts many school trips and children, and that a thorough investigation is needed so a similar accident does not happen again.

Hinata Goto’s family has asked for privacy. Hokkaido’s powder snow draws millions each year, but Sunday’s events have left a painful reminder that risk can exist even in places meant to feel safe.