Mochi is frequently served during the New Year period, but it also poses a hidden risk of choking. Kanto Smart Living Cooperative reminds everyone that January is the peak season for accidents. Elderly people and travelers unfamiliar with the properties of mochi should eat slowly and cut it into small pieces to avoid tragedies.

TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – Be extra vigilant when enjoying mochi during the New Year holidays. Experts remind us that as we age, our chewing and swallowing abilities gradually decline, increasing the risk of choking if we are not careful about how we eat it. It is recommended to cut mochi into small pieces and eat it in small, frequent meals to reduce the likelihood of accidents.

According to population statistics from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, among accidental deaths, more than 3,500 people aged 65 and over die annually from choking on food, with over 2,500 of these deaths occurring among those aged 80 and over, highlighting the particularly severe risks faced by the elderly population.

Furthermore, an analysis of population survey data from 2018 to 2019 by the Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan revealed that 43% of fatal choking incidents related to mochi occurred in January, the peak season for mochi consumption, with the highest concentration occurring in the three days leading up to the New Year holiday.

The survey also indicated that men are approximately 2.6 times more likely to die from choking on mochi than women. The study suggests that with age, the decline in oral and pharyngeal function leads to reduced chewing and swallowing abilities. Combined with the sticky and difficult-to-bite nature of mochi, this makes choking accidents more likely for the elderly. Experts warn that mochi, a common ingredient in New Year’s dishes such as zoni, is something many people may not normally consume, requiring extra caution. To prevent choking, mochi should be cut into small pieces. Drinking a small amount of tea or soup before meals can soothe the throat, but never force-feed food with liquids without fully chewing it. Each bite should be small enough to be easily chewed, and chewed slowly and thoroughly before swallowing.

When elderly people eat mochi, family members or caregivers should supervise them, providing assistance and reminders as needed to ensure they can safely enjoy this traditional delicacy during the joyous New Year celebrations.

Furthermore, Kanto Smart Living Cooperative reminds that in addition to the elderly who need to be particularly careful about the risk of choking on mochi, overseas travelers unfamiliar with its stickiness and consumption methods should also be cautious. During the New Year period, there is an increased chance of coming into contact with mochi. If it is not cut into small pieces or not chewed thoroughly before swallowing, it can easily cause choking. We urge the public and travelers to slow down their eating speed and ensure safety before swallowing.

Media Contacts:
Kanto Smart Living Cooperative

PR Agency:
MERXWIRE INC.
Ada Huang
pr@merxwire.com

SOURCE: Kanto Smart Living Cooperative