Japan fire officials advise chewing slowly after deaths from choking on New Year’s rice cakes

TOKYO – At least nine people have reportedly choked to death on New Year’s rice cakes in Japan, and officials are urging people to chew slowly on the treats.

Sticky rice cakes, or “mochi,” are an essential part of the Japanese New Year’s holiday menu. But the glutinous mochi, grilled or cooked in broth or with sweet beans, can get stuck in people’s throats, blocking breathing.

The Yomiuri newspaper reported Friday that at least 128 people were rushed to hospitals after choking on mochi, with nine dying.

The Tokyo Fire Department said Monday that 18 people were taken to city hospitals during the first three days of the year, and that three males died.

The department advised people to cut mochi in small pieces, chew slowly and learn first aid.

In addition to the Tokyo deaths, three people died in Chiba prefecture, while one each died in Osaka, Aomori and Nagasaki prefectures, the Yomiuri reported. In the Nagasaki case, an 80-year-old-man choked on a mochi that was in sweet bean soup served for free at a Shinto shrine.

Japanese customarily visit shrines and temples to welcome the new year, and mochi, sake and other treats are sold or given out.

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