Russian Consul General in Japan, Vladimir Pushkov, died on Saturday in the town of Agano in Niigata prefecture after falling down a cliff while playing volleyball, Russian embassy to Japan reported.
Pushkov, 55, who went to the countryside with his colleagues and friends, fell down the cliff as he was playing volleyball, RIA Novosti correspondent in Tokyo reported.
The diplomat died because of the head injuries, the embassy said.
Vice-consul, Roman Kolesnik, who tried to rescue Pushkov, received spine injures and was sent to hospital.
Pushkov, a professional orientalist, had previously worked in Russian embassy to Japan and served as Consul Ambassador in Singapore.