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New Year’s Death Toll Mounts

Monday, January 3rd, 2005

Every year, a number of people choke to death on mochi, pounded sticky rice cakes, in Japan during the New Year’s holiday. The Mainichi Daily News reports this year’s death toll at four so far, and fifteen remain in critical condition.

The Asashi Newspaper reports that in Tokyo 26 people were taken to the hospital by ambulance, one died, and fifteen are in critical condition. Choking on mochi is a particular problem for the elderly. 24 of the 26 were over the age of 60.

To keep from choking to death the Tokyo Fire Department recommends cutting mochi and meat into small pieces, eating slowly, and not eating alone.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 3rd, 2005 at 11:50 am and is filed under News, Japan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

3 Responses to “New Year’s Death Toll Mounts”

  1. rus Says:
    January 5th, 2005 at 1:13 am

    I can understand these people, though. Mochi is the kind of snack that provokes you to shovel it down your throat, especially if you haven’t eaten all day for Important Reasons.

  2. moira Says:
    January 15th, 2005 at 1:49 pm

    Soylent Green is PEOPLE!

  3. moira Says:
    January 26th, 2005 at 11:57 pm

    Karai, there is a sense of unrest among the housewife community because you haven’t posted much lately. But not to worry, I know exactly how you can calm the masses- you should post your recipe for delicious chicken enchilada casserole. That way you would please housewives and their hard working husbands and babies.