Japan grapples with sticky problem – potentially fatal mochi binge over holidays
The emergency services have issued advisories urging Japanese people to eat mochi with care, including tips on dealing with choking
An essential element of the menu during family get-togethers over New Year, mochi is made of pounded rice and can be served in various ways, including in ozoni vegetable broth, grilled or filled with a sweet bean concoction.
No matter how the mochi pieces are served, their stickiness and chewiness make them a choking hazard, with the very young and the elderly at particular risk.
The National Police Agency and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency have launched campaigns warning people to be very careful when they are eating mochi over the holidays, with the Tokyo Fire Department running a dedicated web page on precautions against choking as well as what to do if someone’s throat were stuck with a piece.
“Mochi is delicious. But wait a moment! Don’t rush, eat it slowly and chew it well!” the page exhorts the public.
The website instructs people to cut mochi into smaller pieces before eating, drink tea or soup to moisten the throat for consumption and make sure children and older people are “supervised” when they are eating. The agency’s final recommendation is that people be aware of first aid techniques they can apply in case of an emergency.
