Mt Yotei in Japan. Photo: 123RF
The second New Zealander who died in an avalanche in Japan is being remembered by friends on social media as a "great human" who lived an "amazing life".
Joshua Sellens, 33, was part of a group skiing on Mt Yotei in the Hokkaido region, a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders.
He was the co-founder of guiding company Niseko Zen.
His business partner posted a tribute to him on social media on Wednesday, saying the funeral would be taking place in Japan on Thursday.
Sellens was skiing in a group with 21-year-old Isabella Bolton in Japan's Hokkaido region when he died.
Japanese news outlet Kyodo News first named him as the second casualty, attributing the information to the Japanese police.
However, New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said they could not confirm the name of the second victim due to privacy reasons.
Japanese media reported the pair were among a party of six, exploring the backcountry of Mount Yotei when the avalanche struck on Monday at an elevation of 650-700 metres.
A third New Zealander was injured, reportedly Lars Meier Blattner.
Isabella Bolton died in the avalanche in Japan's Hokkaido region on Monday. Photo: Supplied
Isabella Bolton was named as the first victim by her family on Tuesday.
She was born in England but grew up in Diamond Harbour and Heathcote Valley, and attended Christchurch's Rangi Ruru Girls' High School.
Bolton had been working as a ski guide in Niseko since November, having previously worked on ski fields in Canada, Tekapo and Wānaka.
The family said she had an "adventurous spirit and love for skiing and the outdoors".
"Our family would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of her fellow colleague and friend whose life was also tragically lost," they said.
